Someday Working from Home will be Common

As a child, most of my somedays were about becoming an adult, and following in my Mother’s footsteps, having a family of my own.  In the 1960’s becoming a mother was the accepted aspiration of a young woman.  Women were talking about careers, and our own mothers were supportive of education for their daughters “just in case.”

Our mothers were not necessarily supportive of our working once children were in the picture.  When I asked my mother if she would be willing to help with childcare so I  could work, the answer wasn’t  just “No thank you,” but included an expression of shock and disappointment that I  had the nerve to ask her to help me shirk my parenting responsibilities.  Mom recommended I take care of my own children, just as she had.

Someday advances in technology will bring many jobs from the workplace into the home.  Are you skeptical?  In 2016 there was a 36% increase in remote job listings.  While computer and IT jobs dominate the at home job opportunities, there are also opportunities in medical and health, sales, administration, customer service,  education,training, and marketing.

Remote jobs, offsite jobs, telecommuting jobs are different names for the same thing, working outside of the traditional work place.

Still not sure these are real jobs?  They are jobs such as transcription, translation, training, teaching, tech support specialists, designers, writer and editor, travel agent, accounting, administration and recruiting.

The benefits for employers include reduced facilities costs, lower absenteeism, lower turnover, and savings of an estimated $10,000 per employee per year.

The benefits to the employee includes 15 days of time saved from commuting, and savings between $1,600 and $6,800.  In addition, 47 percent of telecommuters are very satisfied with their jobs as compared with a 27 percent very satisfied rate of their office bound peers.

Telecommuting doesn’t mean parents will never need childcare help.  Your job will still have all the other requirements of your in-office counterpart.  Telecommuting does mean increased options and flexibility for families, and for employers who want to retain productive workers.

 

A Week of Bad News

People strapped bombs to their bodies, and set out to do as much damage as they could a week ago, Friday, November 13 in Paris.  Just as I did after 9/11, I withdrew from society and watched all the news I could about the destruction.  I have seen French news reports being cautious about blaming refugees for the violence, and United States governors (31 U.S. governors) have signed declarations to refuse entrance to any Syrian  refugees.  I have heard presidential candidates say they would refuse shelter to three year old orphans.  I have seen social media posts angry at President Obama, because he has not turned Syria into a glass parking lot, at a minimum.

I have heard about hackers who have taken it upon themselves to take down ISIS propaganda from the internet.  I have seen Christians who are begging people to follow their faith instead of their fear to welcome those running toward any country of freedom and safety, including our own.

There is a multi step procedure for legal entry into our country for refugees.  I tend toward a sympathetic response to people displaced by war and violence.  I would welcome refugees from Syria, and other people who practice the Muslim faith.  I have made this known in conversations with those who would isolate the United States from all Muslims.

My father grew up in a country at war with the United States,  He came to the United States as a young man having lost his home to U.S. bombs, and lost his country to the violent and repressive Nazis.  He served in the U.S. Army before he could even speak English very well.  His brothers also established their families here in the U.S.  The family has done well, and is now on it’s third generation of Americans.

I think offering the same opportunity to others who seek freedom and opportunity is the right thing to do.   I also think we should use every tool  we have to fight ISIS.  This includes the use of rhetoric and being a light of freedom to the people of our enemies, and those trying to escape them.