Chapter 29 The dilemma of working from home

Many people who have installed electronic huts to work at home still have to leave home to have intimate contact with people outside. Futurist Toffler said that due to the development of information processing, electronic huts have enabled more and more people to work freely at home without having to go to work. Jones is the director of research for the computer systems sales department of the New York Telephone Company. He used to drive 32 miles to work every day. Three years ago, he installed an electronic cabin (computer terminals, fax machines, etc.) in his home. telecommunication equipment), started working from home.At first, it was difficult for him to change the long-established work rituals. For example, he could not work in pajamas, but had to get dressed first, go outside for a cup of coffee, and then return home to work.Now, although I have adapted to working from home, my work efficiency is better than before, and I feel happier at work, but I still have to go outside to have a cup of coffee, see the outside world, and have some contact with people before I can start Work.

Naisbitt, another futurist, said: "The use of electronic huts will be very limited. People want to go to work in the company because people are eager to connect with other people.One of Naisbitt's research assistants, Kraber, is a good example: He bought a computer to work at home, but in order to socialize, he ended up taking a part-time job on weekends as a janitor for a public building. The porter, he said: "It's nice to be able to leave the house and sit there and talk to people.In the end, Kraber went back to work at the research facility in Naisbitt.According to him, three out of four people who use computers to work at home later return to work in the company.

The idea of ​​working from home really makes many people feel excited, but it is actually just an ideal to regard home as the center of work, leisure and life. Home is like a besieged city. Those who are inside want to come out, while those outside want to go in (go back) ).Working from home, if not done well, can turn into living in the office, but the most important thing is that work is not just work, we get enough opportunities to connect with others by working outside. Interpersonal communication is an integral part of work and life.