If you live with chronic illness, you’ve probably realized that:
- Symptoms can come and go when you least expect it
- The intensity and how it impacts you can vary
- This can wreck havoc on your job
How do you explain the changes? Yesterday you were able to get to work and do your job just fine. But today you’ve got pain, fatigue or some body part isn’t working and you’ll be a few hours late or maybe won’t be in at all.
One solution is to work “virtually”. Virtual work does not guarantee flexible scheduling – unless you work for yourself or it’s built into the nature of the job you do (e.g., such as writing, research, web design.) But it does cut out a commute and in many cases, it can mean that you have more flexibility to shift your work schedule around your health needs.
I’ve worked with people who have transitioned their jobs from a brick and mortar office to working at home. What I’ve seen is that the key piece is to make sure that there are good reporting and communication systems in place. Expectations about what others can expect and when must be clear to everyone involved. Communications trails have to be documented. In fact, you have to be more precise than when you were in the office.
One client in my Just In Time Career Coaching program found that her supervisor became really difficult when she stopped coming in. But when she explored this further, she learned it had nothing to do with her performance. Her supervisor missed the personal interaction!
I’ve worked with others who found that after they went “virtual”, they were working even longer hours because systems weren’t in place. You can get some good ideas for communicating while working virtually .
I work virtually but for myself. For 17 of the 22 years that I worked in large and small operations, I lived with debilitating diseases. My career skills meant I only had full time and physically demanding options. With two young children, neither my body nor soul were up to it. To keep working, I had to “reinvent” myself. My priority was to work at home. I didn’t intend to work for myself but it happened. As with everything, I can see that there have been positive and downsides to working this way.
The upside:
- I develop relationships and network, market my services, and work with clients worldwide without leaving my home.
- I don’t waste my the energy on commuting, have to deal with bad weather or worry about finding myself in situations where I’m physically challenged.
- I take the breaks I need when I need them to take care of my body and I don’t worry how this might affect how I’m perceived.
- I design and take charge of my time and energy with no one to thank or blame but myself.
The tough stuff:
- Studies show that working promotes health because it gives you a sense of purpose, creates a schedule and gives you social interaction. But working virtually can be isolating, especially if you’re solo. If you’re struggling with illness, you can lose your sense of purpose and drive without the support of others.
- When I’m not well, I’m alone in this body. Mostly it’s a relief but sometimes it’s weird and it would be nice to have people contact.
- I miss being around people. Although my days are busy talking on the phone and emailing – people who work for me, colleagues with whom I work on projects, and clients, I often miss having that face-to-face interaction.
- Although I don’t miss getting “dressed” for the office, there are days that I’d like a reason to wear a suit. Go figure.
I’m sure I’ve missed some points here. Another perspective is at The Pros and Cons of Working Virtually. Are you a virtual worker? What have you found?
Jason David Reid says
Once again you hit upon some real truths here Rosalind. Having worked the last twelve years in a demanding office environment, I’m now on my own working at home. I find I still work a lot of hours – but because I can take breaks or even naps during the day – I find I’m more relaxed and more productive. It’s enlightening to what I can do when I’m on my own schedule and not someone else’s.
I worked at home on my own business several years ago. The biggest issues I had back then were a lack of personal contact and lack of focus. Maturity has helped with the focus part – and I now make sure to delegate time each week to go out, interact with people and make sure I spend enough time in the “real world. So far it is working quite well.
Rosalind says
Jason – those are all good points. You need the focus or it won’t happen. Interaction with others is key for your mental health and you have to carve out that time. Glad to hear this is working for you!
GL Hoffman says
Good article, R.
I think it is almost easier to do this now than it was a decade or so ago. With social media tools, it has to be easier to maintain contacts and, dare I say it, sanity. I often thought I needed the interaction I get at the workplace…now I think that is not a limiting factor any longer.
I predict more and more people will work at least one of their jobs off their laptop while sitting and watching Oprah.
Rosalind says
It’s absolutely easier with the internet. When I started, 10 years, email was a phenomenon. Watching Oprah? I hope not-that’s what employers fear and for good reason.
Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter says
Rosalind,
As always, you provide solid writing with ‘real’ insights – both the up- and down-side of working virtually (with or without chronic illness)!
The idea of ‘reporting and communications systems in place’ is key. Having worked my own biz 12+ years now, over 1/2 of which have been virtual, I feel I have adopted, created and enacted effective systems.
That said, I am reminded, from time to time, that my systems possibly could be better, could be enhanced and possibly should be modified from time to time based on the evolution of the ‘world’ around me.
In my experience, staying ‘in touch’ with the ‘real world’ via a virtual existence generally is quite seamless, and I’m drawn to this work-style. Yet, from time to time, the isolation from the physical presence of another or the vibration of another’s voice across an office space IS missing.
Admitting that there is a difference is okay, and doing what we can, from time to time, to bridge the gap can help — this may mean heading out into public for a visit to the library, enjoying lunch with a colleague/friend or attending a local professional association meeting. We all have different needs to be fulfilled and must seek out what works for us, individually.
Many thanks, as always, for your consistency in providing value in your blog writings to the careers community.
Jacqui