Work-From-Home Tips: Dealing With Guilt

Working from home has some unique advantages, such as a shorter commute and a relaxed dress code. But it also has some unique challenges…the many distractions of home, pets or children and even guilt. Work-from-home guilt may sound silly, but it’s real.

Do you suffer from work-from-home guilt?

• Do you worry about missing an email or call because others might think you're taking a nap or watching Netflix?
• Are you more likely to work through lunch and be available after hours than when you were in the office? 
• Do you find yourself over-explaining how productive you were during the week?

Work-from-home guilt can affect your ability to set healthy work boundaries. If your work-life balance gets out of whack, it can lead to burnout.

So how can you combat work-from-home guilt? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set achievable daily goals.

At the beginning of each workday, set goals you can realistically achieve. Don’t be over-ambitious. When setting your goal, consider:

• How much you would have been able to get done when you were in the office?
• Is it still realistic to expect to get that much done?
• When you achieve your daily goals, you’ll be less likely to feel guilty.

2. It’s OK to take breaks.

Didn’t you take breaks when you were in the office? You probably didn’t eat at your desk either. You may have even taken a walk at lunch. Just because you're no longer in the office doesn’t mean you can’t do these things.

As long as you are making positive use of your work time, take breaks and eat lunch guilt-free.

3. Talk to your manager to clarify expectations.

Sometimes, work-from-home guilt can come from uncertainty about what's expected in this new work environment. Your manager may be able to help you clarify expectations around things such as:

• The hours when you need to be available
• How quickly you should respond to emails or calls
• Your expected level of productivity

Work-from-home guilt is often tied to what we worry others may think we’re doing versus what we’re actually doing. When you worked in an office, you probably didn’t worry about this, so don't worry about it now.

Remember, you were trusted to work from home because you can get the job done from home. So when the day is done, kick off those bunny slippers, log off and relax with a clean conscience!  

For More Information

The Remote Worker Resources hub from Education & Organizational Development and TSG has all the information and job aids you'll need if you are working remotely. A link to it is also available from the Coronavirus hub.