In response to Jared Turner’s op-ed about working from home: I too have enjoyed many years working from home. In 1975, I was left a single mother of four on a farm in Pennsylvania. Fortunately for me, I attended a cosmetic demonstration at a friend’s home. I quickly signed up and was “beautifying America one face at a time.” This company taught, among many other things, how to budget your time and work from home — no laundry between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. — when there were no mobile phones of any kind.
Forward to today. Many platforms make it possible to work from virtually anywhere. However, I'm inclined to think that corporations will use this as an excuse, and a legal one at that, to 1099 almost everyone. Most employees will become "consultants." They will not receive benefits such as paid sick time, vacation, retirement programs (be what they may), insurance, payroll taxes or any other benefits now offered to employees. Corporations will not have the need to pay for and maintain office buildings. What a savings to corporate America.
I also think Mr. Turner has quite the Pollyanna attitude. Someone in his household is taking care of the children so he can work and even though he has cut his commuting time, I'll bet the person taking care of, if not home-schooling the kids, is also working. Yes, while I worked at home I was a Den Mother, Girl Scout leader and room mother and attended masses of basketball, volleyball, football games and many concerts. I got up before 5 a.m. and went to bed between 11 p.m. and midnight and got a college degree. It can be done.
Don't get me wrong. I am for some, if not many, people working from home. Let's just call aces aces and spades spades.
Judy Miller, Murray