Hide the Bunny Slippers
Posted by homeBus on 04/22/09 in Business
Mention that you work at home, and suddenly everyone conjures up bunny slippers in their minds. No matter how far this is from the truth, it hurts your professional image just that people think it.
Now there’s not much you can do about people thinking that on their own, but at the very least you can fight it by refusing to encourage that stereotype one iota. This means maintaining a professional demeanor at all times: in your emails, your phone conversations, and even in the way you dress.
No, I’m not saying that you need to wear a suit to go to work even when your office is in the next room. But I am saying that your clients don’t need to hear that you’re working in your pajamas today, or that you’re taking the afternoon off to go play airsoft with your buddies. No matter how important your passion for Echo1 airsoft is to you, your clients don’t care.
This isn’t to say that you can’t have a good relationship with your clients. If they ask, by all means, tell them what you are doing over the weekend or where you are going over vacation. I just don’t think you should volunteer too much of this information, lest you lose their professional respect.
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Karen | May 8, 2009 | Reply
When I tell people that I work from home, they always ask me if I work in my pajamas. But really, I can’t focus until I’ve had a shower. And I may get to wear jeans or yoga pants every day, but I at least try to look presentable … it makes me feel more productive.
Jo | May 8, 2009 | Reply
There are a lot of stereotypes about working from home. People tend to think that because I work from home, that I’m not busy, or that I’m available to stop and talk at any time of the day. But I’m still working! I just happen to do it out of my home instead of from an office. Yes, there are lots of advantages to working from home, but if I don’t keep work hours designated for work, I’ll never get anything done.
Nancy | May 8, 2009 | Reply
Your clients don’t have to know that you work from home … and unless you tell them, they probably won’t find out. Just treat them professionally as you would in any other business setting and your professional image should stay intact.