Menopause is a time of transition on so many levels. We are also confronting aging, empty nesting, partial or complete retirement (or not). Many of our posts will now focus more on the second Act of our lives than menopause. Why? Because we have boatloads of info on menopause. Put whatever symptom or aspect of menopause you are most interested in into the search box and it will pull up all posts related to it. After all, fifteen years of posts pretty much covers it. Of course, we will post new advances and topics not previously covered on the blog. Today’s post addresses the potential of working from home and why we needn’t believe we can’t start at our time of life. Enjoy!
Why Age Shouldn’t Determine if You Work from Home by Kevin Conner
Currently, we find ourselves in the midst of a revolution. But it’s not the type of revolution we typically think of when we hear that word, one with flags waving and people in the streets. Instead, we’re undergoing a slow metamorphosis of how we live and work, and all of this is thanks to the internet.
One prime example of this is how remote work is rapidly becoming the norm. Between the growth in the gig economy and its freelancers and the number of companies relaxing some outdated policies, remote working is on the rise.
However, as is the case with any change, there are some old stigmas that are stubbornly sticking around. One of these is that remote work is something “special.” Or, that it’s something only for a select few. It’s still seen as a good option for older workers, or for working moms, or for those who have some sort of a disability instead of for everyone. But this simply isn’t the case. Remote work is for everyone, and here’s why.
All the Tools Are At Your Fingertips
On the practical side of things, we shouldn’t forget that it’s now possible to do almost any job using a laptop with an internet connection and a phone. The rise in remote work has been accompanied by a rise in the number of tools available to those working remotely, and these can do a pretty good job of reducing the gap we sometimes think exists between an office and its remote workers.
For example, Slack makes for a nice complement to email as a way of staying in touch. Trello and Asana are very useful for managing projects, and Google Drive facilitates sharing and collaboration. Combining these tools can help you create a home office environment that empowers you to do all the same things you could do were you not working from home, and there are many more tools that can be used to help you meet your specific needs.
Balance Should Be Life, Not the Reward
Moving from the practical, though, there are some ethical reasons why working from home should be for everyone, such as the right to a good life.
Working from home provides people with a unique opportunity for balance in their lives. Parents can split time between work and family more easily, and for those with passionate hobbies, this type of arrangement gives you more time to spend doing what you love.
However, this type of balance should not be something we’re all working to someday have when we retire or when we achieve a high enough position within a company. Instead, it should be something everyone can enjoy right now. This is slowly becoming the case, but it should probably be happening faster.
Working From Home Is Still Work
Just because you’re no longer going into an office doesn’t mean you’re not working. Those who already work from home know this to be the case, whereas those who’ve never had the chance likely still see these remote arrangements as “mini-vacations.”
However, because working from home does not change the fact that you’re working, everyone should be given the opportunity to do it. It’s true that not everyone will like this type of arrangement—some people can resist distraction better than others—but this isn’t a reason to deny people the chance to adjust their work schedule so that it complements the rest of their life.
Different Ages, Different Needs
As should now be clear, working from home helps better equip us to incorporate work into our other life obligations. But, as we know, each chapter of our life presents a unique set of challenges, which is why it’s unfair to attach remote working to age.
Someone who is older may need or want to work from home because of their health, whereas a younger person may want it so that they can take care of a young family, or to serve as a caregiver for some of their elderly relatives.
In the end, there are infinite challenges we face, and while remote work can’t solve all of them, there’s a chance it can help, which is why age should have nothing to do with working from home.
About the Author: Kevin is the founder and CEO of both Vast Bridges, a customer acquisition and lead generation service, and also Broadband Search, an online platform dedicated to helping people find the best value internet in their area. Both companies were launched from his home before growing into much larger operations, which has turned him into an outspoken advocate for remote work and all the benefits it can provide to people.
