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Working MT from Home a "Hazard" for Single People? - Like to know

Posted: Jun 01, 2010

Right now I'm working inhouse doing MT and I have a part time working from home. I would like to eventually work from home full-time but someone mentioned to me that because I'm single, I shouldn't do it. I am aware of the need to have balance of doing MT and interacting with people. I live alone and I have no pets. I have plans in mind if I work full-time at home, for ex. volunteer, take a college class, take an exercise class. I would appreciate any suggestions from others who are in this situation for who know about this type of situation.

Working from home - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
My situation is very similar to yours. I tried working at home a couple of times over the years, once for a year and once for 3 years. I did things outside of home, worked out at the gym, went for walks, got out whenever I could but to be truthful the isolation got to me, it was definitely a mental health issue. I needed the interaction that I get in the office. I've never been a "pajama person" and actually like getting dressed up for work. When I got the chance to go back to working on site I took it and would not want to work at home again. You might enjoy it, all you can do is try. Hopefully they'll let you come back if it doesn't work out for you, good luck.

Employers realize this and usually have a safety net - BTDT

[ In Reply To ..]
I've worked at several hospitals that have employees stationed at home, and they DO understand the isolation of it. Every hospital I've ever worked at provides in-house stations in case the MT needs to come in-house to work, whether it's because there's a problem with their internet at home, there's a problem with the PC that needs IT assistance, OR...you got it, they know the MT is feeling isolated and needs to come in to work, even if for a few days.

If you would like to work for a local hospital from home, I don't think you'll have any problem going in-house to work whenever you feel that the walls are closing in or you just need some human contact. You'll have done your training in house for usually 4-6 months before you're allowed to work from home, so it won't be like walking into a room full of strangers; it'll be other MTs you already know.

I've known several MTs who operate just fine this way. They love working from home, but they also miss the socialization aspect of being in-house. Every few months, they opt to come in to work for a week or two and then go back to working remotely.

It's worked well for everyone I know, employer and employee.

Good luck to you :-)

Safety net? - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
The only time we were permitted to come in to work on site temporarily was if we had technical issues, but never because we felt the walls closing in. Truthfully that is not the employer's problem. For us it was all or nothing so I went back on site permanently. Anyone who has a situation like the one you describe is very lucky.

Yeah, I don't think that is the norm at all. - Hayseed

[ In Reply To ..]
That would be a groovy option, but I think what you have is a very unique thing going on and you are lucky!

I had a situation last summer and tried to fanagle something like that with the MTSO I work for and though they were graciously willing to help me out, and had an actual office site within commute distance, they just didn't have the set up to accomodate a "stray" MT. I even had my own chair, computer, monitor, and pedal at the ready! (Desperate situation is all I'm gonna say about that day!)
:-D

Yep, there was always 2 available stations for those who wanted to use them - VERY employee-oriented hospitals

[ In Reply To ..]
I didn't realize it was such a unique situation, but there were always at least 2 ready-to-go work stations at the hospitals for whomever wanted to use them. I've never really felt particularly isolated (I tend to keep business and personal separated to an almost obsessive degree), but I do know my co-workers love the advantages of it.

Maybe it's a California thing? Or maybe the managers have all been MTs who suffered that feeling of isolation themselves and wanted to be proactive?

Hmmmmm...now my curiosity is really getting to me, lol!

We have 2 stations available - SM - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
But they are only for situations where someone had techical issues, as I mentioned. No one was ever permitted to come in to work because they felt isolated. Glad it worked for you but I could see people taking advantage of that unless some ground rules were in place.

Depends on whether you're an introvert or an extrovert. - CrankyOldBroadOnTheBeach

[ In Reply To ..]
I once heard a very good definition of the difference. An extrovert can only recharge in the presence of other people, and an introvert can only recharge alone.

I live alone, except for 4 geckos, and they frankly aren't very good company, because they pretend they don't understand English. I go to church on Sundays and a women's Bible study Wednesday nights, and I go in to harass the staff (and the doctor) at my one remaining local account, but if I didn't do those things, I probably would never get out of my pajamas! And this would be a problem... why?

Apparently, I am a flaming introvert. I really, REALLY like working by myself at home. Nobody's in my face, I don't have to listen to anybody whining, I don't get dragged into office politics, I don't have to go beat up the nursing staff 'cause they screwed up on their documentation (although that was actually kind of fun sometimes), I don't have to maintain a professional wardrobe, and I don't have to put gas in the car but once a month or so.

Well, I do miss those wonderful free lunches the drug reps used to bring every Thursday... and I really, REALLY miss my old boss, 'cause he was just the best there was, but other than that? Naw. I don't EVER want to have to go work in an office again, if I can possibly get out of doing so.

But... as I always say (and y'all can say it with me by now, I know)...

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY! :)

Feeling like an Introvert - Like to Know

[ In Reply To ..]
It has been about 10 years that I lived alone. I figured if I haven't gone crazy now, I might be okay. I admit once in a while, it's nice to have a chat with a co-worker at work, but I'm mostly at my desk. I do go to religious service as well and I interact. But maybe that person who was worried for me knows that I work in-house for the "#1 hospital" stable institution. I've been miserable working in-house. I just want change.

An Extrovert who loves working at home - lindawordlady

[ In Reply To ..]
I am definitely a people person but as I have gotten older and more secure within myself I really treasure the time I work at home. I feel like I have more control of my work situation than if I were in-house. I have worked at home for about 10 years or so. At one in between that time I did work in-house for a period of time and I tell you... the people in the office drove me nuts. There were only a few of us, but I found it too distracting to get the work done. Some people would take excessive breaks and/or talk on the phone which affected my concentration and it was also a bit cliquey. I also worked the 2nd shift so in the winter I hated going out to start the car in the winter and it was even colder when I left work at midnight. In the end, I think if you have a healthy self-esteem and enjoy your own company, but still have other outlets for the social part, I think you would like that much better.

People used to tell me too that because I was single and no pets, that I would not be happy. Well, maybe for them they would not, but I know me, and I am much happier to not be involved in all the gossip and politics that an in-house setting can bring. I think it's up to each individual in the end.

Single -- loving at home work - Alicia

[ In Reply To ..]
I adore working at home. Though I miss sometimes the moral support and chats with nice co-workers, I surely do not miss the bickering over thermostat settings, the who-made-the-last-pot-of-coffee wars, who took my favorite reference book---the constant petty arguing with the not-so-nice coworkers. So happy to be home. Friends, neighbors, and hobbies provide plenty of social interaction and it's nice to be able to control when that interaction will occur. Great to be home.

FANTABULOUS - I could not have said it better

[ In Reply To ..]
That is great, I agree totally!!

I love being at home. I love getting up when I wake up, not when the alarm clock goes off (I work 2nd shift). I love walking the dog during the day, not rushing before the sun goes down at night. I don't miss office politics one BIT! I don't miss coworkers, well maybe a little, which is why I read this board! I still call my old boss and I like occasionally IM'ing with my new boss.

I know people think I'm reclusive or that I need to get out and socialize. But since I'm way more happy puttering in my garden, why should I? Shouldn't we just do what we are happy doing in life? Who makes up these rules anyway!

So true - introvert vs extrovert definition - happy hermit

[ In Reply To ..]
I was married to an extrovert and we were always just shocked at what the other needed to "relax". Needless to say we spent a lot of time separately doing our own thing. He kept telling me - you need more friends. No I did not - I cherish my solitude. I am so much more productive home alone than in a chaotic office - I don't know how I'll ever stand to go back "out there" if VR kills my at-home career.

Single would be BETTER - than being married

[ In Reply To ..]
I've done both. Raised a family while doing MT. Ended a marriage while doing it. For 12 years I've been single and doing it and I can tell ya-- I LOVE IT. The interruptions that come with family are gone. So now I get to interrupt myself. I walk dogs twice a day and interact with neighbors when I do so. I have friends with whom I socialize after work. I have grandkids who fill up my life.

I just don't think being single is a factor AT ALL in considering if you should work at home!

Single and working from home - Jean

[ In Reply To ..]
I am an MT and did work from home for my physicians for a year. I too am single; however, I did have the company of a dog. Working from home as not a good fit for me. I found it was too reclusive for me. I would get up, not get dressed, stay in my pj's, work and after work, would shower, dress, maybe work in my yard, but found myself leaving the house less and less frequently during the week. I am very structured, so that was not an issue. To live alone and to also work in the home alone - it was just way too antisocial and not a mentally healthy environment for me. I went back into the office where I do have interaction. The fantastic part is, I can work remotely if there are too many distractions at the office, or if I need to be home for a repairman, etc. Now it truly is the best of both worlds. Either way, this was just my personal experience and opinion. Good luck in whichever way you chose to work. Jean

single, depressed at home - bleh

[ In Reply To ..]
As some of the others have posted above, it has also become a mental health issue for me when it wasn't a problem while working in-house. Working the holidays can be especially bad. It's a problem. Humans are social creatures. We don't do so well and tend to go off the rails when isolated. Yes, having a pet definitely does help, but it's not the same at all.

I would say if you have LOTS of family and good friends in the same town and you go out of your way to make a point to speak to at least one human being *in person* in a meaningful way each day, then you might be okay.

I've found myself in a slow-but-sure downward slide -- wearing the same sweatpants for 3 days in a row and not bothering to shower, sleeping in my day clothes, etc., etc. I'm certain I'm clinically depressed. I'm definitely lonely.

One of the ladies I work with is going back in-house because of similar issues. I probably should too, really.

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