16 January 2015
Working in a pattern which suits your lifestyle, cutting the commute, and being able to take care of that all-important life admin – homeworking sounds like the ideal way to manage a career. With almost a fifth of the global workforce spending at least part of their working week at home, the benefits seem clear. But if that’s true, why does the reality of homeworking still appear to cause so much apprehension? Evidence suggests that it’s a fear of loneliness.
When a UK sample of homeworkers were questioned on their telecommuting habits, 74% of respondents agreed with the statement that ‘Not seeing coworkers face-to-face isolates those who telecommute’2. This fear of feeling alone could be a significant barrier for those who could otherwise be enjoying a lifestyle with so many advantages.
We’re all social creatures, and there’s the persistent image of homeworking as an isolated working environment. A social vacuum where chatting to people takes more effort than peering over a stack of files, or convening by the kettle. But it’s more than the simple feeling of not having anyone to talk to during the day. There’s a related sense of professional anxiety which can grow from being estranged from the central cogs of the company; feeling like a virtual drone swept along with the tide, rather than a valued team member who is actively involved in the company’s present and future. Everyone wants to be appreciated, and it’s harder to feel that when you’re sat at home.
One of the major successes of Travel Counsellors has been finding a formula which allows travel professionals the freedom to work from home, but doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice the sense of belonging they’d experience in a typical office environment. Having the right technology is central to this.
Thanks to decades of strong investment in technology, Travel Counsellors have an unrivalled support network to rely on. Over 1,300 travel professionals around the world are connected, sharing information, finding support and building friendships through video calling and instant messaging. Through TCTV, Travel Counsellors’ own broadcast TV channel, Travel Counsellors have a hugely engaging platform where everyone can get involved as a team and share their personal experiences.
A sense of team identity can also be fostered by giving homeworkers plenty of opportunity to get out from behind their desks and socialise. Travel Counsellors have a team dedicated to creating an action-packed events calendar, ranging from the Annual Conference to the TC Family Day – where Travel Counsellors and their families meet at theme parks for plenty of thrills and spills.
Travel Counsellors has always invested in its people. By creating and maintaining a family spirit, and by encouraging and acknowledging contributions, Travel Counsellors has shown that homeworking doesn’t have to mean you’re on your own.