Working from home: an easy option?

The experiences of people who work from home will be examined in a one-day seminar at the University of Teesside on Friday 27 September. The seminar, entitled ‘Exploring the social and psychological aspects of working from home’ will take place at the University’s Centre for Enterprise, Victoria Road, Middlesbrough from 10am – 4pm.

The seminar will present the initial findings of a one-year study ‘Quality of home experience for home workers’, which was funded by the Economic & Social Research Council and conducted by Dr Jeanne Moore and Tracey Crosbie from the University of Teesside. 125 home workers from the North of England and Wales took part in the study and reported the effects of home working on their home and family lives. A report, entitled, ‘The Home working Experience: Effects on home and family life’, which outlines key findings, will be launched at the seminar.

Dr Jeanne Moore, Senior Lecturer in Psychology from the University’s School of Social Sciences & Law said: “Home is becoming increasingly important as the place where we work, live, shop and seek entertainment. More than a quarter of Britain’s labour force are reported to work at least part of the time from home. This is predicted by the Henley Centre to rise to at least a third of the workforce by 2006.

“The main focus of the research is on the potential impact of home working on home and family life. Home workers are generally part of families or shared accommodation, and bringing paid work inside the home has implications, both good and bad for others.”

Dr Moore will outline the key findings from the study. She added: “Home working is a double-edged sword with every positive aspect having a negative side. The experience of working from home is very different depending on the type of work you do, your skills and your gender. Home workers who enjoy a greater sense of freedom and flexibility can also find they can’t stop themselves working.”

For more information please contact Dr Jeanne Moore on 01642 342342, fax 01642 342399, e-mail j.m.moore@tees.ac.uk

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