In a recent survey of the Production Expert community, we asked those currently working from home because of COVID 19 lockdown restrictions if they wished to continue working from home.

When asked, “I am working from home and...” I love it and wish I'd done it sooner, was the answer of 77% of those polled.

Community member Toby Patrick said;

“I’m absolutely loving it! I miss having artists in the studio but I’m mixing soooo much more efficiently working from home than I do in the studio.....luckily my home has a studio that I built last year with proper room inside a room and floating floor construction, so noise isn’t an issue. I love being able to have lunch at the same time each day and spend it with my 3 kids. I love finishing exactly at 5 pm and coming up and helping the misses with the kids and cooking dinner. More time for family, more time for creativity; less time stuck in traffic and less spending on stuff I don’t need!”

Producer and contributor William Wittman said;

“It’s not so black and white for me. I’ve done writing and some mixing from my home studio for a long time now. But that’s never going to be a substitute for a roomful of musicians interacting with each other.”

So What Next?

So if it’s proving successful for so many people, what is next? Until now many employers have resisted the work-from-home model, some suggesting it’s not possible. This pandemic will force them to rethink that as many will have proved working from home is possible.

If you want to make a case to your employer to continue working remotely then here are some suggestions.

• Write down the benefits to them before you talk to them. These will include;

  • Reduced property costs for them, including rent, electricity, rates. This may be the single largest overhead for the business after staff costs.

  • Reduced travel time, more time to spend at your workstation. If nothing else if you are travelling less then you are going to be happier in your work knowing you are not wasting time travelling.

  • You are paid for the work you complete not the time you spend at work.

  • Less wasted time - often workplaces are inefficient partly because people stand around chatting or getting distracted. It’s highly likely you are working harder from home and getting more done.

• Research the possible pitfalls to remote working such as meeting with clients, the security of assets and equipment, moving assets around and teams communications then find solutions to them.

• Speak to your co-workers and speak to your employer together. Don’t be confrontational, there is no need, instead explain how you can make the business more efficient by reducing overheads.

Summary

This pandemic means there is going to be a new normal for many businesses and for those who work for them. It’s possible both you and the company you work for could benefit in the long run if you take advantage of them.