Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories

What’s the big deal? Working from home stinks

What do you think? Is working from home a dream, or a daymare?

There has been a lot of debate already this week on the internal Yahoo memo suggesting all work-from-home employees will, starting in June, have to get out of their pajamas and go into the office. For Yahoo — a company that is struggling to redefine itself among the Googles, Apples, and Microsofts of the world — the memo lays bare for its employees a need to work on company culture and collaboration. For employees the change can mean a pain — either your office space is shrinking or you’re having to trade in your slippers and favorite mug for work shoes and the water cooler cup.

I had to work from home a bunch at my last job. I assumed it would be great, but it wasn’t. I was still chained to the desk, but in the comfort of my own home — which quickly lost its homey luster. And even though I was filling my quotas, I wasn’t really feeling like I was productive, unless you count creating dirty dishes.

What do you think? Is working from home a dream, or a daymare? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section.

To hear more about Yahoo’s new work policy, click on the audio player above. University of Texas sociology professor Jennifer Glass shares her thoughts on telecommuting and work-life balance.

Related Topics

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Make Me Smart
    3 hours ago
    25:50
  • Marketplace
    3 hours ago
    26:21
  • How We Survive
    6 hours ago
    25:04
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    10 hours ago
    26:12
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    11 hours ago
    7:01
  • Marketplace Tech
    15 hours ago
    10:55
  • Million Bazillion
    2 days ago
    7:35
  • Financially Inclined
    3 months ago
    12:30
  • The Uncertain Hour
    4 months ago
    22:50
  • Corner Office from Marketplace
    5 years ago
    20:58