Remote work needs processes and clear boundaries at home

Automattic had established distributed-work processes when an employee worked there after moving to Taiwan. During COVID-19, some companies tried to retrofit office-based processes for Zoom—a shift described as a “total disaster,” and one that still appeared to be so.

Working from home can also be a significant strain on a marriage. For uninterrupted work, the recommendation is to leave the house if feasible rather than make family members responsible for avoiding interruptions; if that is not possible, an office and possibly a locked door can help establish boundaries.