Big Disasters Bring Big Lessons About What Working from Home Can Do for Companies

There's At Least One Silver Lining to Come from Hurricane Sandy

No matter how terrible something is, there is always something (at least) decent that can come from it. As terrible Hurricane Sandy was for the Eastern seaboard and many were kept from their work, there were a number of workers who pushed on and continued business operations via working from home.

While there are businesses and companies that offer work from home positions, the number is few and there is a stigma about working from home that some companies have a hard time getting past. Sadly, it would have to take a terrible disaster to show just how well some parts of business can run without employees leaving the house. And there are many employees out there who were proven right about what they already know: that they would happily welcome not being stuck in a cubicle all day, even if they were only allowed to work from home 2-3 days per week.

But now, there is a real opportunity for companies to look at the amount of money they saved having their employees working from home during the storm while still having some part of their business operational. Could it be worth it to consider creating something on a larger scale? (And if not that, at least consider putting such a system in place that would allow for such an option  if and when this type of unfortunate circumstance happens again?)

Before, the stigma had to do with managers and other higher ups not feeling comfortable or trusting employees who were not on site—and that was the end of the argument for work from home positions. But with hard data coming in, will there be a change?

More than likely, yes. Why? Because companies love to save money and fatten up their bottom lines. Before, companies didn't "think" it could be done but now they have proof it can. It may take some time and research on how to best implement a work from home platform from one company to the next but it not only means saving money. Coupled with happier employees,  it means a boost in output and production-- the best of both worlds for a company that wants to stave off or bounce back from the effects of the economy.In fact, it may be, for once, an honest and ethical way for a company to get ahead without firing random employees and expecting a department of 10 people to do the work of thirty for the same (or little) pay. Definitely sounds much better, that's for sure. Hope somebody's paying attention.

Popular Telecommuting Jobs

With technology making it more and more easy for both employees and employers to set a virtual office anywhere, it's easier than ever to get work done from home-- or even abroad.  

IT Professionals

One ups their odds of working remotely as a web developer, a programmer, an analyst or as a help desk technician. Maintaining a server is something that that can be done remotely, but it can also require having someone present to take care of set-ups and installations. This type of work is best found in small to medium size companies. However, it can be necessary to seek out companies that make it known that the option is on the table. It is not likely that a company that isn't making such an offer will make special arrangements to do so.

Teachers and Online Tutors
The number of positions in the educational area of telecommuting is vast. While many are at the university level, there are just as many that are not. There is a need for online instructors, tutors, training specialists, curriculum writers— the list goes on and on. Work can be online, over the phone or by video chat. Search for these jobs by using the search term "telecommuting jobs education" (or a variation thereof) to find legitimate opportunities.

Health Care
The health care field is a line of work that is all-encompassing. There is a need for transcriptionists, specialists that can read x-rays, data analysts, administrative workers and the like. Of all the fields in the vocational world, the medical field is one that has embraced the digital age. Still, when these options are available, it is very necessary to clarify the employer's parameters for working remotely. For many of these positions, it can sometimes be necessary to be either within a certain number of miles of the company you work with or to make an appearance in the workplace once or twice a week.   

Customer Service Reps
From flower delivery to booking travel reservations to hotlines, call center representatives and help desk workers are the biggest percentage of the work from home field. To avoid the work from home scams, be sure to research a company before jumping in. Two companies that regularly offer legitimate work from home opportunities such as these are Flexjobs.com and Convergys. It's important to know that this type of job requires having a quiet space to work in. Background noises such as a TV going on, children interrupting a call or anything of the like can mean the immediate termination of the employee.

Translators and Interpreters
Speaking a foreign language fluently offers an array of opportunities and is one of the best ways to break into the world of telecommuting. Excellent verbal and written skills can mean working over the phone for companies anywhere in the world or landing a position that translates marketing materials. Depending on what the position is, one may be required to invest in a good internet connection to support sessions of audio/video translations, software for translation management or even certification by the American Translators Association. Because some positions pay by the word, one must also have an affinity for speed and accuracy. Speaking a language that is less common or specializing in certain vocations such as medical translation can bring a higher wage than average.