Working From Your Hometown: A Checklist Before You Go

Sunday, June 07, 2020

Updated September 2026: in 2020 my manager allowed me to work from home just as Covid-19 was spreading, and within days I travelled to my hometown with only essentials, not knowing how long I would stay. I have rewritten it into a checklist for anyone planning to work remotely from their hometown for an extended period.

My manager's approval came almost at the last moment, and I left expecting a short stay. In 2020, a trip like that could easily turn into months, with only what had been packed for a few days. Many people now choose to work from their hometown for weeks or months at a time, and preparation makes the difference.

Is working from your hometown allowed?

Check your company policy before you travel, not after. Many employers allow remote work within the country but have rules on how long you can work away from your base location, on attendance requirements under hybrid policies, and on client restrictions for certain projects. Get your manager's approval in writing, with dates.

What should you take with you?

Every piece of work equipment: laptop, charger, headset, and any security token or hardware key.
Chargers and adapters for all devices, plus an extension cord.
Documents you may need for work or banking, as copies stored securely.
More than you think: in 2020 I took only essentials, and nobody could say how long the stay would last.

How do you make sure the internet is reliable?

Check broadband availability at the address before you go, and have a mobile hotspot as a backup on a second network. A second SIM from a different operator is inexpensive insurance against an outage during an important call. Test video calls from the room you will actually work in.

What about power cuts?

In many towns, short outages are common. A UPS for the router and a charged power bank for the phone keep you connected through most of them. A laptop with a healthy battery covers the rest. Know how long your setup lasts before you need it.

How do you stay visible while working away?

Keep your camera on for team calls when you can, respond within agreed hours, and send short status updates. Working away from the office makes it easy to be forgotten for new work. Being reachable and predictable prevents that.

What should you plan for the return?

Agree a return date or a review point with your manager. Open-ended arrangements tend to end suddenly with a return-to-office announcement, and a planned return is far easier than a rushed one.