Working from home is so convenient. Especially since Manila is the home of hellish commutes and equally terrible traffic. It’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family all in the comfort of your own home.
However, it also comes with its fair share of questions and criticism. Some people simply don’t grasp the idea of working from home and spout all sorts of nonsense. And while fielding these questions or often frustrating statements can be done, it can get frustrating fast.
Here are the 10 things people who work from home are tired of hearing.
10. Is your job real?
Yes, my job is real. I get paid. I have deliverables. I submit stuff within a schedule. It’s like what you do in your office but just in a different setting. Do you want me to print out a cubicle backdrop to prove it? Please. Stop asking me this.
9. Can you do my chores for me? Since you’re not really doing anything.
Um, I’m working. At my real job–something we established in the previous point. No, I can’t do your chores for you because I have things to do and finish and submit. Pick up your own dry cleaning, Susan.
8. Can you watch my kid/dog/cat/lizard?
No, I will not watch your loved one, no matter how cute they are. I may love animals but I simply can’t spend my entire day literally watching them in case they somehow find their way into my fridge and have to listen to you cry about how your precious baby wasn’t supposed to eat grapes. I have work. I have a job to do. Your loved one cannot eat up my time. Find someone whose job it is to take care of them.
7. Must be nice doing nothing all day.
Okay, no. I do not wake up, lie in bed all day, play video games, and dust off the Cheetos from my shirt before going back to sleep. Like I’ve said repeatedly, I have stuff to do. Not just chores, not just checking for mail, but actual things that need to get done in the job that I have. Because I am employed. Therefore I am doing something all day. And while I’m not cowering in fear that my boss is looking over my shoulder all the time, I’m still getting important stuff out.
6. I can’t do that all alone all day–I can’t imagine it. Aren’t you lonely?
I mean yes but not because I work from home? Leave me alone, lol. :–(
5. Can you do something for me since you’re home?
Unless that something that you want me to do is my job, the answer is no. I’m not going to do you any favors because I am busy. You wouldn’t ask someone who works a desk job to do it for you, right? Why is it any different? If you’re gonna ask me to pick something up for you at the grocery store, I can’t do it. Why? Because I have to be at home to work. Not at the grocery store. You wouldn’t ask desk-job-friend to go to the grocery store. Don’t ask me.
4. You’re so lucky you don’t have to clock in.
While it’s true that some work-from-home jobs are flexible in terms of time, not all of them are. Some people still do have to start working at 9 and end at 5. The only thing they don’t have to do is push that card in. But guess what? We’re still working.
3. How do you stay focused all day?
Do you stay focused all day? Just asking. We stay focused all day by, you know, treating our job as a job. Might wanna try that.
2. So do you have to wear office attire at home?
Okay. What do you think the answer is? Don’t think too hard. You can do it. I’m at home. What do you think I gotta wear?
1. I have a real job.
Congratulations. So do I.
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