Working from Home: A Workplace of Women That I Call My Home

When I came up with the title of this blog, it seemed so accurately descriptive of my house. Putting it into context, I am a full-time employee working from home, my older sister is a Registered Counsellor at the University of Free State, but is also a full-time wife and cook at home, and my younger sister is a full-time matriculant at school and then bringing it home and my mother is a full-time business owner, financial aid, cook and life advisor to her daughters working from home.

When you put all of us together in one place, it is one crazy rollercoaster ride. A ride that I am never willing to leave no matter how many twists and turns there may be.

The dynamics of working from home

When I first started working from home, it was a difficult adjustment. Nobody understood the dynamics, me included. It was a very different thing for everyone to adapt to. I wanted to help them wherever I could, but it was difficult when I am constantly working on the laptop having so many tasks to complete. Being at home also made my family think that I was "free" most of the time, not realizing that I was working, but like everything else, we took it in our stride. Eventually, they understood that I was a full-time employee and I understood that I could do whatever I was capable of after-hours and on weekends.

Soon this became such an easy adjustment for us. My older sister stays 6 hours away and even whilst working I can visit her whenever I would like to. My family supports my decisions and takes my work as seriously as I do, and I am so grateful for that. Living with only women has taught me the importance of continuously supporting and being there for one another. We will never be able to live in peace if we do not try to understand each other.

Living with only women has taught me the importance of continuously supporting and being there for one another.

It has also taught me the importance of appreciating sisterhood and having people in my home support my career decisions and vice versa. My sisters and my mom have always taken education and being independent very seriously. Being educated is one of our main priorities and I would not have it any other way.

The incredible women at SHL

Having a workplace of women makes me understand the importance of supporting other women constantly. At SHL, the majority of my colleagues that are senior to me are women of integrity and confidence. I am blessed to have to work with such incredible women each day. They continue to inspire me and make me believe that if they can do it, so can I. There are a million things in the world that could stop us, but nothing can ever break a strong woman and that is what I learned from being raised in a home with women.

My colleagues and I work together and strive for excellence in all that we do, and I could say the same for my family. I am grateful to be a team player that can win on both sides. In South Africa, we celebrate women’s month every August. And in this special month, I would like to extend my appreciation to all the lovely and supportive ladies I have come across, whether at work or at home. You continue to inspire me in every way possible.

Check out our resources on empowering women in the workplace!