Beneath the surface

Surekha Nameirakpam,instructional designer,says,“I would love to go back to office and work. Though I opted to work from home,I have realised that it is more difficult than going to office and working. With a young baby to look after,it becomes difficult for me to cope up and I end up working late at night to meet the deadlines. Though I am able to be with my baby,it would be great if I could spent quality time with her and also focus on my work,which is possible only when I go to office and work.”

While others had it the hard way,Aishwarya Karnik,housewife and mother,was informed by friends and opted for a no-job status rather than going in for work from home. “I was told by my friends that working from home is not as easy as it appears to be on the surface. The deadlines and co-ordination is sure to affect your life at home and the work is also affected. So,when I was planning to have a baby I gave up my job,” she says.

Riya Prasad works from home for a law firm. While everything seems just perfect for her with easy deadlines and less work,it becomes difficult for her to manage work from home when her in-laws come to visit her. “Eventually,either family or the work gets neglected. As family is the immediate concern,I have to work overtime to fulfill my professional commitments. Working in an office also gives a break from staying at home all day and an opportunity to socialise,” she adds.

However,working from home is not always a bad option,as it also has some advantages for new mothers or for people who have parents to be taken care of. Rasika Wadodkar is working from home as a senior technical communication specialist for a reputed firm and finds it very convenient. “I have a young daughter to look after,so working form home is a better option rather than quitting my job or sending my child to a crèche. Moreover,my office timings are flexible. But while working from home,one needs to follow some professional ethics very carefully,” says Wadodkar. “It has its drawbacks,like you don’t get to go out or interact with people,like one does in office,but that is alright as long as you get to fulfill your responsibility towards your family and earn at the same time,” she adds.