No, I Don’t Work in My Pajamas

May 23, 2016

Judy Bush - work from home

When I tell someone I work from home they inevitably remark, “Oh, you get to work in your pajamas!” Yes, I work from home, and, no, I don’t work in my pajamas.

As I transitioned from being a 9 to 5 agency account manager working in a cubicle to a wahve working from my home office, I maintained the mindset that I am doing the same job, but just in a different place.

Not long ago, I saw a TV commercial showing someone working from home. They were sitting on a sofa with food all over the place and kids jumping around. I thought to myself, Is that the image people have of people who work from home? 

Personally, I dress business casual every day, and I am prepared for a meeting on Skype at any time. Even though it would never happen, I would welcome a client into my home office as well.

I recently had an opportunity to give someone advice on how to successfully work from home. The office manager at my dentist was leaving her job to start working at home for her husband’s business. When she found out I worked from home, she asked me how I did it. I stressed that it is imperative that she set up her office in a private room of her home or at least in a private area and to establish the mentality, “I still go to work every day.” Further, I suggested she set specific work hours and include a lunch break. She should dress appropriately and let it be known to her family and friends that she is “at work.” Just because I’m home doesn’t mean people can drop by or call or text me. And, sorry, you’ll have to wait until I get off work for me to play that Facebook game.

On a survey from WAHVE, I was able to express my opinion regarding the image people have of those who work from home. I recommended they show wahves in their actual offices to demonstrate our professionalism even though we work from home. The picture above is of me in my home office.

Do you work from home? What advice do you have for someone wanting to work from home?

Judy Bush is a wahve living on a farm with her husband and 40 cows in Virginia. She works for an agency in Texas. Prior to becoming a WAHVE she had a successful and rewarding 25 year career in a retail agency where she received Travelers High Achiever award , was Insurance Woman of the Year and a past president of Association of Insurance Women.

Stay in the loop

Subscribe to our newsletter and get insights into what's going on in the insurance industry right in your inbox.