How likely will you telecommute if you have the option to do so?

Dscut · 07-02-2008, 09:14 PM

We have discussed over the issue of mileage to work when taking the job offer. I am wondering how likely you guys are willing to telecommute. On one hand, telecommuting might save time, $$$, and family. One another hand, it might cause a problem when it comes to promotion .... you might not be recognized as a diligent worker for not showing up in office cubic very often. What do you guys think?

jdp · 07-03-2008, 05:50 AM

Since I am as high as I am likely to go where I am I'd take it in a heart beat *IF* I could find a quiet space away from ds to conduct phone calls when needed. He's 5. Right now, that isn't happening. I can't have a 5 min phone conversation without shutting myself in a room and still listening to him at the door.

Megan · 07-03-2008, 09:34 AM

I fear that if I telecommute every day, my world will get very small. I like the office environment, and I like the social outlet that it provides. I like my coworkers for the most part, and I think I would miss that if I never went into the office.

That said, I do have the opportunity to telecommute occasionally, and once or twice a week might be great. I feel like I get a lot more work done partially because I feel like I have to get more done to prove that I'm actually working.

Of course, I don't have a bad commute. 20-30 minutes door to door, and I ride the Metro, which I don't mind at all. So that definitely influences my decision.

khorrell · 07-03-2008, 12:07 PM

JDP - I hear you! Right now, we're working on "Mommy is going to have an important phone call and I need you to be quiet." Fortunately, we don't watch much television so when I do turn it on, they are like moths to a streetlight.

For me, the biggest issue is space. We have a largish house but every inch has a full-time identity, except for the guest bedroom. Which is also the piano room. Right now I'm using half the TV room which would be great except for what I described above. LOL

I do find that I have to have outside activities, both to keep my mind working and to keep my bottom from taking the shape of the chair.

Dscut · 07-03-2008, 02:58 PM

Great inputs... I also think taking one or two days off by working at home might be a good option. It might help me get close to family but not distant from my colleagues.

However, what if you are in a situation that you can have at least 50% control of your time? I mean, you have a very flexible time schedule and most of the job can be performed remotely (except for face-to-face conference and meetings). Somehow I felt guilty when spending most of the week working at my home-office (we have no kid now) but I do think working at home is a better option for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by khorrell

JDP - I hear you! Right now, we're working on "Mommy is going to have an important phone call and I need you to be quiet." Fortunately, we don't watch much television so when I do turn it on, they are like moths to a streetlight.

For me, the biggest issue is space. We have a largish house but every inch has a full-time identity, except for the guest bedroom. Which is also the piano room. Right now I'm using half the TV room which would be great except for what I described above. LOL

I do find that I have to have outside activities, both to keep my mind working and to keep my bottom from taking the shape of the chair.

Looby · 07-03-2008, 03:43 PM

The organisation I work for is committed to reducing it's carbon footprint by 20% so it encourages any staff that can to work from home one day a week.
I'm able to telecommute if I choose but find I tend to get more done if I'm in the office,of course I'm only a mile from my office so I walk anyway!

amyschiff · 07-03-2008, 06:00 PM

I have telecommuted before and though i like it, it's definitely harder to get motivated to work. It's too tempting to sleep in and stay in my pajamas!

A lot of times in my field it takes a group to creatively figure out the best solution to a problem, and therefore it makes telecommuting less valuable. That said, ALL of my company's programmers telecommute.

SouthShoreGirl · 07-06-2008, 01:02 PM

I am definitely leaning towards finding a job that allows me to work from home a large majority of the time, especially since I am having our first child in January. I am going to see if my current job will allow for this (many people who work under me do!) and if not, I will most likely be moving on.

I may have to take a slight pay-cut but factoring in the amount of $$$ and time wasted on the commute it's worth it.

I do enjoy the structure of an office environment, but at the same time, it is really nice to have the option to work from home at least half-time if you are able.

Dscut · 07-06-2008, 09:04 PM

I hear you:-)

Good luck with the job searching. Just took a look of your blog, which was very nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthShoreGirl

I am definitely leaning towards finding a job that allows me to work from home a large majority of the time, especially since I am having our first child in January. I am going to see if my current job will allow for this (many people who work under me do!) and if not, I will most likely be moving on.

I may have to take a slight pay-cut but factoring in the amount of $$$ and time wasted on the commute it's worth it.

I do enjoy the structure of an office environment, but at the same time, it is really nice to have the option to work from home at least half-time if you are able.

DistilledRose · 07-07-2008, 04:59 AM

I have a friend who just started telecommuting three days a week and she is so much happier and less stressed. She also lives a ways from work so she doesn't have to use as much gas or deal with traffic.
I work from home here and there but I work better from the office, and I only live five minutes away. One day I would like to be a full time freelancer.

07-02-2008, 09:14 PM	#1
Dscut Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 Reputation: (10)	How likely will you telecommute if you have the option to do so? We have discussed over the issue of mileage to work when taking the job offer. I am wondering how likely you guys are willing to telecommute. On one hand, telecommuting might save time, $$$, and family. One another hand, it might cause a problem when it comes to promotion .... you might not be recognized as a diligent worker for not showing up in office cubic very often. What do you guys think?

07-03-2008, 09:34 AM	#3
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 307 Reputation: (63)	I fear that if I telecommute every day, my world will get very small. I like the office environment, and I like the social outlet that it provides. I like my coworkers for the most part, and I think I would miss that if I never went into the office. That said, I do have the opportunity to telecommute occasionally, and once or twice a week might be great. I feel like I get a lot more work done partially because I feel like I have to get more done to prove that I'm actually working. Of course, I don't have a bad commute. 20-30 minutes door to door, and I ride the Metro, which I don't mind at all. So that definitely influences my decision. __________________ Counting My Pennies

07-06-2008, 01:02 PM	#8
SouthShoreGirl Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 49 Reputation: (10)	I am definitely leaning towards finding a job that allows me to work from home a large majority of the time, especially since I am having our first child in January. I am going to see if my current job will allow for this (many people who work under me do!) and if not, I will most likely be moving on. I may have to take a slight pay-cut but factoring in the amount of $$$ and time wasted on the commute it's worth it. I do enjoy the structure of an office environment, but at the same time, it is really nice to have the option to work from home at least half-time if you are able. __________________ http://longbeachbabe.blogspot.com/

07-07-2008, 04:59 AM	#10
DistilledRose Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 81 Reputation: (10)	I have a friend who just started telecommuting three days a week and she is so much happier and less stressed. She also lives a ways from work so she doesn't have to use as much gas or deal with traffic. I work from home here and there but I work better from the office, and I only live five minutes away. One day I would like to be a full time freelancer. __________________ Distilled Rose Personal Finance Blog Make Money Online with Cash Crate

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07-03-2008, 05:50 AM	#2
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 196 Reputation: (24)	Since I am as high as I am likely to go where I am I'd take it in a heart beat IF I could find a quiet space away from ds to conduct phone calls when needed. He's 5. Right now, that isn't happening. I can't have a 5 min phone conversation without shutting myself in a room and still listening to him at the door.

07-03-2008, 12:07 PM	#4
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 379 Reputation: (45)	JDP - I hear you! Right now, we're working on "Mommy is going to have an important phone call and I need you to be quiet." Fortunately, we don't watch much television so when I do turn it on, they are like moths to a streetlight. For me, the biggest issue is space. We have a largish house but every inch has a full-time identity, except for the guest bedroom. Which is also the piano room. Right now I'm using half the TV room which would be great except for what I described above. LOL I do find that I have to have outside activities, both to keep my mind working and to keep my bottom from taking the shape of the chair.

07-03-2008, 03:43 PM	#6
Looby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 70 Reputation: (14)	The organisation I work for is committed to reducing it's carbon footprint by 20% so it encourages any staff that can to work from home one day a week. I'm able to telecommute if I choose but find I tend to get more done if I'm in the office,of course I'm only a mile from my office so I walk anyway!

07-03-2008, 06:00 PM	#7
amyschiff Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 281 Reputation: (38)	I have telecommuted before and though i like it, it's definitely harder to get motivated to work. It's too tempting to sleep in and stay in my pajamas! A lot of times in my field it takes a group to creatively figure out the best solution to a problem, and therefore it makes telecommuting less valuable. That said, ALL of my company's programmers telecommute.