Work From Home

 During her middle age and even past that phase of her life, my mom used to be very particular about her blouses to be stitched only by her favourite tailor who she used to address as ‘Ceylon Tailor’ since he had been repatriated by the Ceylon government (before 1972). The ‘Ceylon Taylor’ didn’t have a shop of his own. He collected stitching materials along with specific instructions, if any, from his clients, stitched them at his home employing hired tailors, home-delivered the stitched dresses and collected cash for his tailoring charges from his customers.  Similarly, we had a reliable goldsmith who also didn’t own a shop but worked from his home. He was very good at making new ornaments out of old jewellery given to him along with my mom’s suggestions for a new design.

Such a concept of working from home by artisans and craftsmen had been in vogue in the medieval times until the emergence of the common workplace concept in the 17^th century. Physical workspaces called ‘office’ and ‘factory’ were increasingly specially designed during the 19^th and 20^th centuries to distinguish such workplaces from homes.

With the advent of computers, internet /wi-fi connections, it once again became possible for office goers to work from home (WFH) as they could have access to written records and documents through a computer network without the need to go to a centralised office. Interpersonal communications were made easy by mobile phones and conference calls. Such digital maturity signalled the end of an office set up.

In our current time, proclamation of lockdowns owing to pandemic situations, WFH culture became inevitable. With online connectivity, in future also, more people could potentially work from home.

When it comes to the payroll accounting of employees who are working from home, the log-in details (timesheet) of such employees would serve as the attendance record. Of course, an employee’s leave record is also required.

As far as the productivity of employees are concerned, the team leaders will have the responsibility of monitoring the output against set targets and time schedules. More importantly, micro-level management on a daily basis may be very fruitful although it may be a very strenuous effort besides having a mistrust of employees. 

Anandan  C R

07-03-22