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 Internet Time Management

"Internet time management" sounds like a term from an old sci-fi novel where people spend their time in virtual reality or participate in Internet cowboys and cowgirls. But it's actually a phrase being used more and more these days to refer to the idea of using technology for work. That is, instead of waking up at 8:00 AM, going into the office, and checking Facebook 10 minutes after arriving at your desk, employers are asking you to come in remotely on a day-to-day basis so that they can keep track of your progress while you're working on other tasks remotely as well.

"Internet time management" sounds like a term from an old sci-fi novel where people spend their time in virtual reality or participate in Internet cowboys and cowgirls. But it's actually a phrase being used more and more these days to refer to the idea of using technology for work. That is, instead of waking up at 8:00 AM, going into the office, and checking Facebook 10 minutes after arriving at your desk, employers are asking you to come in remotely on a day-to-day basis so that they can keep track of your progress while you're working on other tasks remotely as well.

Over the last decade, this has become an increasingly popular practice. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. Remote employees get to handle their personal and professional tasks outside of working hours, and their employers keep track of their work in an easy manner.

In addition, LinkedIn recently conducted a survey among 2,400 professionals in 30 countries across the globe. The results show that close to 70% of them expect to work from home. Some even expressed that they prefer it that way because it doesn't affect their morale or productivity compared with being at the office for eight hours every day.

Another study from Office Team, which focuses on staffing and consulting services, found that of the 1,500 employers surveyed in the United States, over two-thirds (68%) already allow employees to work remotely on a full-time basis. The survey also found that as many as 43% of employers plan to expand this option to more staff in the future.

These days, nearly one hundred percent of employers allow remote work at least some of the time. Last year, a survey conducted by Intuit predicted that 50% of jobs will be done remotely by 2020 . They cite the increase in productivity that people working remotely are able to achieve and reductions in overhead costs as reasons for their prediction.

Given that the trend is growing, it's important to understand the benefits and concerns associated with working remotely. It can help those who need to move away from the traditional office setting, while giving employers a way to better manage work flow.

"Remote work can be good in some ways, while not so good in others," says Michael W. Miller, a partner at Cadigan & Miller PC in Seattle . "The key is that if you remember your goals – whether it's for yourself or for your employer – you'll be able to make good decisions about how best to proceed."

Why People Remotely Work

So why are people moving away from traditional workplaces? There are several reasons. One is that the need for working requires that people take on a lot of tasks and responsibilities. When you're working, your other responsibilities – family, friends, etc. – tend to fall by the wayside. And if family and friends are that important to you, taking some time at the office is not only expected but encouraged.

This is why it's also important to consider how well you can work in a traditional office setting as opposed to somewhere else. If a new job means moving away from your family or friends, this may not be the best idea for you. But if you ask yourself how much time you need to work each week and how much time is needed for family and friends, then you can decide which environment works best for you.

There are also many people who want to stay close to home but still want a job that's challenging. It doesn't mean that being in the office isn't challenging; it's just different from the challenges you face at home. That, of course, depends on the job itself.

"When a person has decided to work from home or for an employer who allows it, there are often some concerns involved," says Miller. "The key is what's important. You need to work on your goals and the goals of your employer.  If you can work from home, I would encourage you to do so."

If You Can't Work From Home

Of course there are some people who can't take working remotely, especially if they live far away from the office or have medical issues that prevent them from being in the office every day. These are different rules than those of remote workers. They are considered "home-based" employees who come into the office during specific days or hours each week. For these employees, the amount of work they do is less because they aren't required to be at their desk 24/7.

While this seems like a convenient, easy way to handle your work, it can lead to stress and burnout. If you're home-based, you don't have the constant reminder of your responsibilities at the office. You are free to take off on the weekends or stay up late at night because you're not being watched by other members of your team. This can lead to a lack of productivity and a general lack of motivation when it's time to get back into the office.

This is especially true for people who spend most of their time working from home because they don't have a face-to-face relationship with anyone in their company. It's easy to sit at home and "work" when you know that no one will be checking to make sure you're being productive. But when it's time to go into the office, it can be very difficult for some people.

For employees who are required to work from home or in the office, there are a few things to consider as far as boundaries and restrictions go.

Make Your Own Boundaries

One of the biggest challenges for office-based employees is that of boundaries, according to Bob Kelleher, a consultant in Seattle who specializes in productivity and workflow solutions .

"There are traditional boundaries – you're a manager, you have certain responsibilities, but your boss doesn't micro-manage you," Kelleher says. "And there can also be a separation of duties in the organization. If you only get to do one thing, and if your boss comes over and you start doing other things, that can be an issue."

Of course these limitations are completely acceptable in some situations. For example, if your job description says that you aren't allowed to speak using either email or phone during work hours, then it would be wrong for you to do so.

But when it comes to exercising individuality at work , boundaries are often blurred because of the way people view their jobs today.

Conclusion

Working from home is becoming more and more popular – for both employers and employees. But as with any major decision, there are challenges that come with working from home that you need to pay attention to. Think about where you stand on the issue of traditional workplace settings and what your goals are before moving forward. If you can start or continue working remotely, then do so. Otherwise, the best thing to do is set boundaries while staying productive at your job.

Your Turn Have you ever worked in a traditional office setting? What made you consider other options? Tell us in the comments below! Photo by Julie Robley Photography via Flickr

This post was written by Ivan Nikkhoo .