Lifeworks Home Page
Date: May 1999 Volume: 8 Issue: 5
Pros and cons of telecommuting Congratulations! Your company is now offering telecommuting as a flexible work option to help employees balance their lives. It's up to you to determine if telecommuting is right for you. Before you pack your briefcase to work at home, consider these pros and cons of telecommuting. Advantages Flexibility. When you telecommute, you determine the hours you work and how it's done. This may be extremely helpful if you have school-age children or are caring for an older adult. Independence. Working 9-to-5 gives employees less control of their lives. If you telecommute, you have the freedom to set your own schedule. Informal Work Environment. The flexibility of designing your own workspace allows you to work in a more relaxed atmosphere. Informal Attire. You set the dress code for working at home. Who knows or cares if you answer your e-mail wearing your pajamas? It's all part of being comfortable enough to be productive. Increased Productivity. Lack of interruptions may allow you to complete work at a faster pace and with more accuracy. Research shows that employees who work at home are more likely to work longer hours to show their appreciation for a flexible work schedule. Disadvantages Possible Lack of Career Advancement. Consider that in some organizations, employees need to be involved in tasks beyond their performance and be visible to supervisors/bosses. As a telecommuter, you may miss out on impromptu meetings and other networking opportunities. Isolation. If you would miss the daily interaction with peers, telecommuting may not be for you. You may also be left out of the decision-making processes that go on in the office. Family Stress. If you're a parent, you can't provide child-care while working at home. The chaos of children around makes it difficult to concentrate on work-and may lead to more stress for you and strained relationships with your children. Burnout. The initial thrill of telecommuting may increase your stress level if you work too many hours. To avoid this trap, develop an effective telecommuting plan. LifeTime Tips
Ready for camp? Making new friends, experiencing new activities and responsibilities, and learning a fresh perspective on life are a few of the things a child might gain during a week at camp. The key to making this adventure a success is to choose a camp your child will enjoy and to be sure he or she is ready to handle the new experience. Every child is different but the recommended age is about 9 to enjoy camp without too much homesickness. Are your children ready? Here's what to look for:
Taking some time to plan will go a long way to making this a successful adventure for you and your children to remember for years to come. by: Melinda Hill, Family & Consumer Sciences agent, Ohio State University Extension, Wayne Co. Don't spoil your picnic (or your gastrointestinal tract) Nothing says summer quite like a picnic scene: lounging in the shade of a great tree, the smoky smell of a charcoal grill, and the delectable taste of cold, fresh macaroni salad. But if you're not careful, the scene could be ruined by the lingering effects of food poisoning. Good planning and safe handling can keep food-borne illness from spoiling your dinner and your picnic memories. The first thing to consider is how far you will have to travel with the food. A picnic at a park an hour from home will offer different food safety challenges than one in your back yard. Keep cold food cold, below 40 degrees. You may need more than one ice chest or cooler if you have lots of food. When packing the cooler, put the ice on top of the food, since cold air moves downward. Don't skimp - use plenty of ice. Be sure to seal packages of raw meat so the juices don't drip and contaminate other foods that won't be cooked, like cheese, salads or even soda cans. Marinate meats in the cooler and discard the marinade. Never use it to baste during cooking. Make fresh marinade for that. When it's time to cook, remember everything should be as clean as possible - hands, utensils, plates and the grill. Always use a clean plate to serve the food on, never the plate that held the raw meat. Cook all meats, especially ground meat, completely so no pink is left in the center. Hot foods should be kept above 140 degrees before serving. The best way to deal with leftovers is to plan not to have any. But if you do have some, be sure to cool them quickly and keep them cold. You can keep perishables off of heat or out of refrigeration for about two hours, or one hour if it's above 90 degrees outside. Use these leftovers soon - within about a day. by: Becky Collins, Family & Consumer Sciencees agent, Ohio State University Extension, Gallia Co. Plan summer travel from your desktop Whether you are planning a two-week vacation or a weekend getaway, the Internet can be a great help to families looking for information about tourist destinations. Several sites you might try are:
Planning a summer vacation on the Internet is a lot of fun. Be sure to involve the whole family as you use the information you find to plan your vacation. And, even though you can find some great "last minute" deals, it pays if you plan ahead. Have a safe trip! by: Eleanor Ames, Instructor, Family &
Consumer Sciences and Communications & Technology, Ohio State University
Extension
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All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work Acts of May 8, 1914 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith Smith,Director of Ohio State University Extension.
Updated: May 1999