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Risk and Insecurity

When you are out in the workforce punching a clock, some things are almost guaranteed. You will have at least one co-worker who drives you crazy. There will be a few things about the way the operation is run that will annoy you at all times. At least one of your superiors will seem to have a personal axe to grind with your name emblazoned on the handle.

Oh, and you will receive your paycheck in a blue envelope or via direct deposit every two weeks.

The water fountain will almost always work. Someone will pay the electric bill even after Schmidt loses the Anderson account. If you lean back too far in your swivel chair again and break it, someone from maintenance will magically make a new one appear. Your insurance card will work when you go to the doctor and, again, that paycheck will arrive like clockwork right on schedule.

Although being part of the great herd of employees has many horrifying drawbacks, it does come with consistency and some level of security. You know what to expect and what you will get in exchange for your time and effort.

You may not get enough, but you will know what you are getting. That kind of security does have value.

Those who work at home have to be a bit more adventurous, because they can no longer work with those creature comforts in place. If you don't do business with your work at home operation, you don't have money. If you blow the Anderson deal, you suffer even worse than Schmidt would back at the office for doing the same thing. Water is your responsibility. If you break your swivel chair, you might find yourself working from a kitchen chair. And that paycheck? That's completely in your hands. No one else will make sure it arrives. That's up to you, too.

Those who have particularly risk-aversive personalities are usually a poor match for working at home. The risk of failure is real and so is the lack of any traditional job security.

One may argue that today's economy leaves everyone a bit insecure, but nothing quite compares to having your whole livelihood in your own hands. Yes, that provides opportunity, but it also creates a lot of risk.