Work at Home Considerations

Home-based businesses have been around since the first cooks and seamstresses exchanged their products for a fresh chicken or a bag of grain. In this century, rapid advances in technology have changed the face of home businesses, expanding the options and making “home-work” easier, more profitable, and more satisfying than ever before.

But working from home also has its drawbacks. What are some of the considerations?

You may enjoy the flexibility of working at home and juggling work with children’s needs or other household tasks, but your customers are not so interested in sharing that joy with you. Establish some boundaries with family and friends. When you need to be accessible to customers and clients, set a work schedule, publicize it, and then stick to it. Use a "Do Not Disturb" sign if needed and provide a message pad at the door.

Do not answer the door when you're on the phone with a customer; do not allow children to answer your office phone; and do not try to conduct business where customers can overhear the television, the children, or the pets.

If you have only one phone, be sure your voice mail makes it clear to the caller that they have reached your business. Better yet, purchase a second phone or a phone with multi-line capability. If you use a cell phone to take business calls, remember that the distortions and poor reception that are mildly annoying in your personal life can be “deal-breakers” in business. Unless you are absolutely certain of exceptional clarity, invest in a land line and keep your customers happy.

Consider using an answering service if your business requires that someone always answer the phone. That way, you can literally be “open for business” around the clock.

If friends or family perceive you as a “stay-at-home” they may be quick to assume you have more free time and ask for extra favors. Learn to say no. Similarly, if someone calls you about business on a scheduled day off, don’t be afraid to tell them you will return their call when you are at work.

Since you’re in the comfort of your own home, you may be inclined to overlook health and safety risks. But an injury in your workplace can have a much greater effect then it would in a larger company where there are other employees to take up the load.

Take extra precautions with tools or equipment when you are on your own. Always have a safety plan in mind. If you work at a desk, don't stay seated for a long period of time. Get up and walk around from time to time and learn about proper support and stretching exercises for hands, wrists, neck and back.

Invest in a good chair and other appropriate furniture or equipment. Good chairs have all kinds of adjustments and settings -- height, back, and tilt. Look for desks with variable height work areas and consider a stand-up workstation for some tasks.

Working from home can be very satisfying. Create an office or workspace that is used exclusively for your business, one that you really enjoy walking into and that has everything you want in one area.

While there are tax deductions available for home-office use, you can’t claim them if the same area is used every evening for the kids’ homework. Review the rules for home-office deductions with a tax advisor or business consultant to be sure you are doing what you should to maximize your profitable home-based business.