Working from home isn’t always the answer for stressed-out moms.
It sounds like the ideal kind of work for a mom (or dad) who would prefer to be close to family, and yet needs or wants to work: A home-based computer/telephone job which means that your only commute is from your kitchen to your desk. A study has shown that working from home can, in fact, increase your stress levels, according to Life.Inc.
“Teleworkers”, as they’re known, often choose to do so as a result of the conflict between job and home responsibilities, but face a surprising increase in risks associated with burnout.
When your lunch-break isn't a break at all...
That’s because when job and family are in the same place, some workers feel there is no chance for downtime —no respite or time to relax, said Timothy Golden, an associate professor of management at the Lally School of Management and Technology .
During the study, respondents were asked to respond, on a scale of one to five, to statements such as: “My work keeps me from my family activities more than I would like,” “Due to pressures at work, sometimes when I am at home I am too stressed to do the things I enjoy,” “The time I spend on family responsibilities often interferes with my work responsibilities,” and “ Because I am often stressed from family responsibilities, I have a hard time concentrating on my work.”
“A telecommuter may feel conflict more because you’re being constantly reminded of your home role: whether it’s what you need to do as a parent or household chores,” Golden said. “And that can make exhaustion worse."
Plan carefully before you jump into your home office
He went on to say that it’s not all bad: There are benefits to working from home, such as avoiding the stress of commuting, and the comfort of creating your own workspace, but that if you’re considering it, you need to think over all the possible obstacles very carefully.
Have you ever thought it would be a good idea to shift your office to your home?
By: Scott Dunlop