Efficient Plant Jan./Feb. 2024 - 4

column | editorial
I Want to T
Work From
Home!
Gary L. Parr
Editorial Director
HE PANDEMIC PUT working
from home on the map. In the
post-pandemic work world, the
ability to do so has become a rather hot
topic, particularly if corporate management
calls everyone back to the office to resume
the regular 9-to-5 schedule. For manufacturing
people, working from home is essentially
a non-factor since most simply have to be in
the plant to do their jobs.
As with most of these types of issues,
amusement can be found after you get past the
gnashing of teeth. The good folks at Jobera,
a " global remote career advice platform, " did
a survey to answer the question, Why don't
we want to return to the office? The primary
reason from the survey is that working from
home allows people to do housework, thus
freeing up weekend time for more enjoyable
activities. Surprisingly, eliminating time that's
wasted commuting was sixth on the list. To
me, that's a big deal. We'd all like to have that
time back. Another is the ability to be there for
your kids, i.e., getting them ready for school,
drop off and pick up, some extra playtime.
Then we come to the rather light-weight
reasons:
Having your own bathroom: This was
In the
manufacturing
world, this is the
definition of a
remote worker.
second on the overall list behind household
chores. Reasons given include having your
own/favorite toilet paper, having a bidet, not
wanting the side-eye for multiple bathroom
breaks, and having a clean toilet.
Being with their pets: 37% said it's all
about pet cuddles.
Eating lunch at home: 42% love lunch in
the garden.
Eliminating boring office breaks: 29% use
work breaks to lie in bed, 17% work out, and
9% play video games.
Enjoying silence: 2% dislike office noise. I
expected that percentage to be in the 90s.
Taking a shower: I struggle to see that as a
reason to work at home all day.
Working in the garden: Is that because,
instead of doing your day job it's more fun to
pull weeds in the heat of the day?
Being at home for deliveries: I'm calling
that a real stretch.
Pounding down a brew or two: I hope we
all agree drinking while working is unwise.
Multitasking during long online meetings:
For me, this one has to be universal. For those
who work remotely, company meetings have
never been so productive.
No pressure to get dressed for work: I'm
on board with this one. Many a day the morning
shower happens at 5:00 p.m.
This was apparently a serious survey
because we're told that the data has a 95%
confidence level, a margin of error of 3%, and
that the results are statistically significant for
the general population.
Amazing what people consider important.
For me it would be the ability to concentrate,
make more productive use of my work time,
and not have random interruptions all day
long. For those who have to go to the plant
every day, here's hoping you have a clean
bathroom and, someday, management installs
bidets to add to your comfort. EP
gparr@efficientplantmag.com
4 | EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM
JAN/FEB 2024
http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM
Efficient Plant Jan./Feb. 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Efficient Plant Jan./Feb. 2024
