For many office workers, home working was introduced last week as a sensible precaution to try to limit the possible spread of coronavirus in the community and reduce the risk of staff illness.

As of about 5pm last Monday, I, along with all other pregnant women in the island, was declared to be ’at risk’ and was advised to work from home if possible to avoid unnecessary contact with others.

I’ve often thought working from home had much to offer - and I don’t mean the chance to watch a bit of daytime TV on the quiet.

Bargain Hunt has never really been my thing.

I was soon to discover that my expectations of working from home were quite different from the reality.

Expectation: The extra time I gained in the morning by the reduction in my commute from a 40-minute drive to a hop, skip and a jump across the landing would be spent productively, either cracking on with work or doing a bit of exercise.

Reality: Not really being a morning person, I relished the chance to get out of bed a little later and eat my breakfast more slowly. Before I knew it I was firing up my laptop at about the same time as normal.

Expectation: Being surrounded by my home comforts would mean that working would be much warmer and cosier than being in the office.

Reality: By 11am and despite being properly dressed and with a blanket over my legs, my hands were freezing. I had to put the heating on.

Plus, heading to the kitchen to make a cup of tea was now just that. Without the social element it normally involves, I headed back upstairs with my peppermint tea feeling like I had missed out on an important part of office ritual.

Expectation: My normally clingy cat would spend the day curled up on my lap before causing havoc by marauding over the keyboard, delighted with my unexpected presence.

Reality: She was confused by the sudden change in routine and, even more so, why I had taken up residence in a room I normally walk straight past.

She spent the morning miaowing loudly, meaning it was difficult to think straight or have a phone call which didn’t involve being asked if my cat was okay.

Finally, she decided about a minute before I couldn’t ignore my rumbling tummy announcing it was lunchtime any longer, to settle for a nap on my knee.

Expectation: Away from the usual distractions and interruptions of a busy office, I’d be able to get on with my work more easily.

Reality: Helping to manage a small team, asking a question or giving out an instruction was no longer as simple as raising my head from my screen and asking.

Plus, my colleagues had a choice of methods of communication through which to contact me - my mobile, work mobile, email, and WhatsApp are all to hand.

It felt like it was never long before someone was trying to get my attention and my to-do list was getting ever longer. But actually, craving a bit of human interaction, the calls I took were a welcome break from the sound of my typing.

Expectation: At the end of the day, I’d turn off my laptop and close the door to the ’Southern Hub’ and immediately revert to home mode.

Reality: As I was making dinner, my mind was still buzzing with thoughts on how the day had gone and what needed to be done tomorrow.

It wasn’t until later, when I headed out for a walk that I was finally able to switch off and relax.

â?¢ Are you one of the many office workers who, like Jackie, are now adjusting to working from home?

If so, we will be featuring a page of pictures in next week’s Manx Independent showcasing people’s home office arrangements.

If you would like to be included, send a jpeg photo along with your name, where you live and your job title to [email protected]