The Lone Worker

"When you work alone, give meaning to the work becomes much more important than when working in a company" Ashford.

The greatest power in the world, the United States faced in this severe economic crisis, which of course, is already causing serious problems, all its inhabitants, who must work to earn an income that allows you to survive, cover their needs.

This fact undoubtedly has seriously impacted the labor workforce, where many companies have had to lay off workers and they must find the way to continue to survive with a job that will guarantee entry.

Result, has led to the emergence of what has been termed Universia Knowledge Wharton in his writing, published in its latest bulletin, the transfer of freelancers for teleworkers: formula for success for the new world of solo work.

It indicates the source indicated that the workplace has migrated many Americans crowded offices to a new world and lonely because the economy remains mired in crisis and cost conscious businesses are hesitant about hiring staff. Freelancers, telecommuters, and unemployed people can remain as temporary work based increasingly swell the lists of Americans who now work in a corner of his own house, a garage space and even the cafeteria table next.

For the lone worker to recreate the workplace goes beyond buying a phone and a laptop. The lone worker will also have to bear the main responsibility for dealing with your professional image, networking opportunities, training and motivation daily, observed Wharton professors and specialists from other institutions. Otherwise, they risk losing important social contacts and even the chance to grow. Companies should be concerned about this gap. Despite the apparent cost savings provided when the employee carries out its activities outside the company, remote relationships can result in communication failures and jeopardize long-term productivity.

No one knows for certain how many Americans work in isolation. According to Freelancers Union workers union in New York freelancers, independent workers account for approximately 30% of the U.S. workforce, but that number does not include teleworkers, who are employees of the company, but working at home. In addition, many of these independent workers freelancers, part-time employees, consultants, service providers, professionals working for the project, temporary and self-employed in places where there are other active workers.

We also added the source in its analysis that the physical separation of the companions make internal and external challenges, Wharton faculty stand. One of the most common: the absence of a physical office can be difficult for some professionals find balance between work and leisure. The isolation raises the question: "How to manage the boundaries between work and other activities of life?" Asks Stewart Friedman, a Wharton management professor who studies the relationships between four areas: work, life , community and individual. For independent-minded people are more productive working at home than in the office, because it frees them from distractions and allows them to work in the manner they deem best. For others, the personal life is a hindrance. "There is a percentage of activities that can divert attention from work. What can be done, then, to focus on what really matters when necessary? Much discipline is necessary when creating such limits."

Some people need more limits than others, says Nancy Rothbard Wharton management professor who has studied how people mix or separate work and personal life. "People have different preferences regarding the management of those limits," says Rothbard. "Some people like to mix personal and professional spheres, people who prefer to integrate work and personal life are also people who are at the other extreme and insist on separating work and personal life." In the case of the latter group, working at home would be a "tragedy," says Rothbard. "It would be awful for them exhausting and difficult to manage."

Given this reality it is a fact and in determining where it should be the ideal place to work on a lonely, says Monica McGrath, leadership consultant and assistant professor of management at Wharton, it is advisable to space for the exclusive home work, or a shared office, not a cafeteria full of distractions either. "The person who decides to work at home think you need just a table and a telephone. What that requires professional, in fact, is a new way to understand their professional life," says McGrath. Without the structure of the office, the lone worker is at risk of succumbing "to the distraction of the washing machine, pets, neighbors, friends for company, the tedium or other obligations. Although all these things can distract the workers, the fact is that he must never worry about the washing machine during working hours. "

Very interesting in its analysis, is the dimension that provides the source when he says, that for someone who works alone, financial issues also raise questions concerning the meaning of life. Susan J. Ashford, a professor of management and business of the Business School Stephen M. Ross of the University of Michigan, said that issues relating to objectives and significance come to light more easily among professionals who do not have a company behind them. "We believe that working for these people is closely connected to the ego because it is a solitary activity," says Ashford. "No one beside it to praise his performance, although the benefits are decreasing."

Finally, it is very important what is said, to control the time, space and personal motivation is just the first step: lone workers also often need to appear on the radar of other people, while facing the misperception that they are not actually working.

No doubt, that the figure of the lone worker is provided for analysis under different disciplines in order to determine its scope, that it represents, is the perspective and research of psychology, sociology, the same administration. What happens if this is about product continues to increase U.S. economic crisis is an issue that can not be neglected.

* Source: Bulletin of Universia Knowledge @ W: 1 to 31 August 2011? www.wharton.universia.net

* University Professor, Management of quality and productivity? Faces graduate area of ​​University of Carabobo. Exatec

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