When a co-worker tells you that they are taking a “work from home day,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you are like me, then you are probably thinking that they are waking up late, wearing worn out pajama pants, and lounging in front of the TV watching cartoons with their laptop perched on the coffee table gathering dust.
Apart from my cynical view, the rate of people working from home has drastically risen in recent years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently 9.4 million Americans that work from home on a regular basis. Today, powerful smart phones, super fast internet connections, and a wide variety of collaboration tools make it easier for employees to stay home while remaining productive. Business collaboration tools such as WebEx, Jabber, Microsoft Lync, and Go-to-Meeting, help employees communicate while at home or on the road, while Virtual Desktop connections, such as Citrix’s XenDesktop, allow employees to access all the same data and applications that they can access in the office.
In honour of the United Kingdom’s National Work from Home Day, here are four fun home office set ups that put the “Pro” in productive:
#1 Tree-top Office Get-a-way
This fancy looking setup offers it all when it comes to a home office: privacy, quiet, a sweet view, and plenty of space to stretch out. You get peace and quiet in case the rest of the family is home for a snow day, and I also doubt any annoying solicitors will be able to find you. Since we cannot see any visible networking connection happening, I will assume there is a pretty sweet wireless router connecting this tree-top hut to the outside world.
#2 No Desk, No Shoes, Just Work
Simply, comfortable, and effective. The old “Laptop on the couch” approach may look lazy, but remember, a happy worker is a productive worker.
# 3 Attic Loft
There are three primary pillars to any great Work from Home Set Up: Privacy, Connectivity, and Comfort. This set up has all three. Personalized, comfortable home offices can increase productively by allowing someone to work in their own element. Also, there is nothing quite like a nice hammock nap after a productive conference call.
# 4 The Weapons Grade Approach
Today, many businesses understand the benefits and necessity for employees to work from home, and often, companies will help make sure your home office setup is top notch. With this approach, you can have the best of both worlds by combining your own PC preference with state-of-the-art VoIP phones, Virtual Desktop connections, routers, and more.
It is important for employers today to understand that times are changing, and empowering employees to work from home is good for business. By providing employees with setups that equal, and possibly exceed, typical business office setups, companies can lower costs, be better prepared to stay active in the event of a disaster, and help increase employee happiness, whether it be a tree top, attic loft, comfy couch, or a home office powered by IT Weapons.
