Should I get a job working remotely?

After my daughter was born I seriously considered getting a remote job and gain in job flexibility.

I was told I would be made redundant 4 weeks after she was born (yep, it happened, but this is another story), so I had to find something new anyway. I knew I didn’t want the commute into Central London and the unreliable trains any longer. But that is where you get the best jobs and salaries. So what to do?

I researched a lot of companies that operate exclusively (or mainly) on a remote work (they call themselves distributed companies). They sounded really interesting and I kept a close eye on their job openings. They tend to be American companies in the technology field who need staff in a wide range of positions and departments.

I also read a number of blog posts on the pros and cons of working remotely. The best one I found is this one by Sara Rosso, Marketing & Product Director at Automattic, where you’ll also find links to companies looking for remote staff. In a nutshell, these are the pros and cons:

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Pros:

• No commute (cost & time savings)
• More time with your kids or for your hobbies
• Often able to decide your own working times (as long as contractual hours are met & work gets done)
• Most distributed companies offer yearly, fully-paid global meetups with all staff in great locations
• Work from home, a coffee shop, the library, WeWork – wherever you like

Cons:

• Can be solitary
• Strong discipline and create a work routine at home
• No clean transition between work and personal time
• Good communication skills are a must especially as a lot of the communication is in writing
• Fast & reliable internet

I was in two minds, checking regularly and kind of waiting for a good fitting job to be made available.

In the end, however, I was approached for an office-based positions closer to home that seemed interesting. I decided to go for an interview and when I got there… I felt so well returning to a professional working environment after a few months of looking after a newborn! I knew I wanted the job.

This new job is based in the company’s UK headquarters but allows me to work from home if needed, and we have regular meeting with agencies in Central London. This means I’m getting a bit of office, a bit of WFH and a bit of Central London too!

Even before our daughter was born I enjoyed the benefit of this flexibility. I had a difficult pregnancy and from the third month I needed weekly scans in hospitals. My employer at that time was very supportive and allowed me to work from home on the days I had the scans, so I could easily go to my hospital appointments. I also worked completely from home the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy in order to avoid the train journey. I truly appreciated this flexibility and support, it made a difficult time easier.

What I’ve learnt from my employment flexibility while pregnant, and the high of going back into a professional environment after a 9 months maternity leave, is that I enjoy a mix of remote and office-based work. For now. We’ll then see what else life brings. 

(As I re-read this I know that I will try remote working one day because, well, it may be the right thing for me. I’ve been playing with the thought for some time. Am I resisting it for some reason?)

If you are considering remote work, remember a lot of it is down to personality and what best works for you.
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