The NAKED Marketing Company

It snowed last week in the UK, in case you missed it. Quite why snow in winter should take us by surprise and make front page news is a puzzle. If we’d been baking in a tropical heatwave, that would have been news! But that didn’t stop hysterical tabloids from gleefully predicting sub-Arctic conditions and the end of civilisation as we know it.

Despite the dire warnings, millions of people slithered and shivered their way into work, if only so that they could tell anyone who’d listen about the sacrifices and horrors they’d endured to get in.  It’s understandable if they cast envious eyes at those fortunate to work from home.

Whether self-employed, running a business out of a back bedroom, having a job that doesn’t require you to be physically present all the time or having flexitime, there’s a lot to be said for a daily commute that involves nothing more arduous than carrying a cup of coffee from the kitchen  to the laptop.

But there’s a downside, too.

At least those who must travel into work have  a good excuse for not turning up or arriving late when there’s snow on the ground -  what possible excuse can the home worker give?

Working from home requires strong will, self-discipline, dedication and motivation. It’s especially challenging for those with child-rearing and domestic  duties as well. And it can be lonely working at home without the comradeship, coffee time conversations and catch-up gossip of the workplace.

No, working from home is not as much fun as it might at first appear. It’s not an easy option and not everyone has the temperament or attitude to be able to do it effectively and well.

Personally, I quite like it when there’s a few inches of snow on the ground – it’s the only time my garden looks as neat as the bloke’s next door.