Google extends remote work option due to pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Google on Tuesday extended the option for its employees to work from home into next year due to the pandemic.

Returning to Google campuses will remain voluntary globally through January 10, with local offices given the discretion to decide when to require employees to return to their desks, according to chief executive Sundar Pichai.

"I’m happy to say that a large number of offices globally are already open for business, and we are welcoming back tens of thousands of Googlers on a voluntary basis," Pichai said.

"The road ahead may be a little longer and bumpier than we hoped, yet I remain optimistic that we will get through it together."

He promised Google workers 30 days' notice before they would have to return to their offices, and announced they would be able to take off an extra day in October and December as "reset days" to "rest and recharge."

Google, Facebook and other tech giants have delayed plans for workers to return to the campuses that were abandoned early in the pandemic in an effort to limit the spread of Covid-19. 

Tech firms have also instituted vaccine and mask requirements to make offices safer as the Delta variant surges in the US and other countries.

Agence France-Presse 

The Perks and Quirks of Having a Home-Based Business

If you’re reading this article, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ve already considered a number of inexpensive business ideas and are now ready to delve into the nitty gritty of what it’s like to work not only for yourself, but out of your own home.

PERKS

If there weren’t perks to having a home business, so many people wouldn’t be striving to start one for themselves. Here are a few of the most popular perks that come hand in hand with launching your own gig.

Cost

Not having to head out the door and drive to work every day is a huge money saver. Some of the many ways it’s cheaper to work from home include lower fuel costs, reduced wear and tear on professional clothing and not having to spend money on restaurant office lunches. Depending on how much you are able to reduce your mileage, you may even be able to spend less on your auto insurance. How cool is that?

Productivity

While a typical supervisor of cubicle employees might not think so, the truth is it’s possible to be at least twice as productive when you have your own home business. One major way I save time is by not waiting in line for things like coffee, copies or face time with the boss. If I need to have a phone conversation with a client or colleague, I can have it via a wireless headset, which frees me up to toss a few ingredients in the slow cooker, fold a load of laundry and even brush the dog.

Even if your home business requires more one-on-one face time with customers, you still don’t have to commute to work both ways every day. Trust me. There are WAY more productive things you could be doing with your time than sitting in highway traffic.

Flexibility

Unless you are running a shop or maintaining a professional office for legal, accounting or medical services for example chances are you can create your own schedule. This means flexible hours which allows you to take the kids to their soccer game and finish that report after they go to bed. You’ll need self discipline to make sure you don’t take more down time than appropriate, but if you’ve got mad organizational skills and a strong sense of accountability, the world is your oyster as far as owning a home business goes.

QUIRKS

You didn’t think it would be all sunshine and roses, did you? Owning your own home business may provide its fair share of sweet perks, especially for those used to working for the man, but it definitely has its quirks as well.

Logistics

Depending on the services you intend to offer, and how much room you have for things like an office or a photography studio, juggling your home business in the kitchen or from the coffee table can be a real drag. There are a few simple tips for a successful work at home experience, including carving out a dedicated space. Even if you have to use a closet or craft armoire to do it.

Health

Since so many home businesses focus on desk jockey tasks like writing, editing and image manipulation, those who operate them are at increased risk for a variety of health issues, including heart attack and stroke. These risks occur regardless of how fit you are.  Here’s an article I wrote recently detailing the many reasons why you need to spend more time on your feet and cheap ways to build a standing desk.

Boundaries

Just because you’ve set aside several hours each day to make your new home business venture a priority, doesn’t mean your friends and family will realize they need to respect your space. Expect to receive unannounced visitors, people expecting they can interrupt your asking for support and more than a few “since you’re at home” requests. Rest assured these are absolutely as annoying as they sound. You’ll need to be firm about your boundaries, and that may mean a fair bit of friction in the beginning. In the end however, those who truly respect what you’re doing will adjust. Those who don’t no longer need to be in your immediate circle.

Many people who successfully make the transition from cubicle employee to home business owner find they never want to go back to their previous money-making situation. While it isn’t a quick switch to make, the rewards are there for anyone willing and able to put the time in. Do you currently operate your own home business? What are some of the perks and quirks that you’ve noticed over the years?

source: financialhighway.com

 

8 Great Sources for Work-at-Home Jobs

If I had a buck for everyone who asked me how to successfully work at home, I’d be a wealthy woman. Assuming you have the tenacity and temperament to structure your day and stay on top of projects, the main things you need are space, tools and gigs. These eight resources will point you towards a variety of work-at-home jobs. The rest is up to you.








Media Bistro

Many people assume you can only search for jobs in the television industry on Media Bistro, but the truth is there are a number of writing gigs that are up for grabs as well. Online blogging gigs, news stories and even magazine assignments make the listings from time to time. If writing’s how you make your living, this online resource may be your ticket to work-at-home success.

 Hub Pages

 Granted, with this option you need to be willing to earn your cash through affiliate links and ad clicks, but many have found Hub Pages to be a great way to build passive income. It’s also a side gig you can start without having to front any cash whatsoever, provided you have internet access and already own your own computer. Since this option, like so many others requires you to spend a great deal of time writing, you will definitely want to research some fitness exercises you can do at your desk.

ESL Café

If English is your first language, then you may be able to pick up a part-time gig at ESL Café. Granted, many of the jobs are for overseas teaching opportunities, but a fair number are for online companies which let you teach from the comfort of your home, provided you have reasonably-fast internet services, a web camera and a headset.

Serious Teachers

Similar to ESL Café, Serious Teachers is a web site that lists employment opportunities in the field of international education. Again, there are many out-of-country positions but the database allows you to filter for online opportunities that may suit your needs. I’ve noticed that the online options listed here aren’t always the highest paying, but if you’re in a situation where you’ll be making the same as you would at a minimum wage McJob, why not work from home and use the saved time from your lack of a commute to start your own affordable small business or find other higher-paying clients?

1099 Mom

A work-at-home blog started by a veteran personal finance blogger, 1099 Mom lists professional blogging gigs on a weekly basis, along with savvy solutions for invoicing, client interactions, balancing work with family and more.

Freelance Job Openings

Heavy on listings for media-related jobs like photography, blogging, design training and copy editing, Freelance Job Openings lists only those opportunities that pay. I’ve seen everything from well-known media corporations and magazines listed on this site, to smaller copy editing gigs. If you can type like the wind and have a reasonable way with words, chances are you have a good shot at securing paying work with this resource.

Flex Jobs



Anything from newborn photography to answering support calls from home shows up on Flex Jobs, along with many keyboard-related opportunities as well. Some of the jobs listed only allow telecommuting part of the time however, so it’s important to look at the fine print before responding to a listing.

Virtual Vocations

Similar to Flex Jobs with more of a web-based focus, Virtual Vocations is a work-at-home job resource for those wishing to operate outside of traditional employment parameters. You’ll find consulting positions, field research gigs and even development and investigative contracts.

Comprehensive listings for at-home employment options can be cumbersome. This article was designed to provide a lengthy enough resource for newbies to sink their teeth into, while remaining short enough to avoid being overwhelming. Have you ever successfully landed a work-at-home job? What resources did you use?

source: financialhighway.com