Working from home

[Magick1]

Ok, this isn't the "work at home" type pop ups you see.

I am referring to my actual job that I am doing now, offering me an opportunity to work from home, rather than have to commute downtown.

If you were presented with this, what questions would you ask?

I want to draw up pros/cons, and wanted to get some of the awesome feedback you all have!

Let me know what crosses your minds, please. If you don't mind...

Thank you in advance.

[frazzledspice]

The telecommuters whom I have known have put their very young children in daycare for at least two days a week anyway. I think it's virtually impossible to give your all to a job while watching a preschooler.

They also work out of a separate home office, and they establish a regular routine and very clear boundaries about interruptions. I have friends--a telecommuting husband and a wife who retired at 55--and she knows that when he is in his office, he is "not home", period.

The telecommuters I have known have been happiest when it's a part-time telecommute. Two workers have an office schedule--one telecommutes Mondays, Wednedays, and every other Friday. The other telecommutes Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every other Friday. They share an office.

That gives them the opportunity to keep abreast of what's going on in the company and communicate with colleagues while spending some time at home.

My brother telecommutes because he is disabled with MS (he works for the federal government.) He started out one day a week, but now telecommutes (from a small local office rather than going to the city) every day. He says it's more difficult not to be on site (but a 40 mile commute each way was too much for him, and the trip to the local office is manageable.) I am just glad they are giving him the opportunity to keep working and contributing, as he wants to do.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

What Frazz said. I get to telecommute too occasionally, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time or I'd be out of the loop. Also you need to regularly send or show your boss what you've accomplished, if you aren't doing tasks that are tracked by the company's computer. Things to iron out include: who pays for stuff you need to do the telecommuting (high-speed internet access, computer upgrades, antivirus upgrades, a decent chair, etc.); what hours are you expected to be "on" or is it flexible as long as you do 8 hours in a 24-hour period; how are phone calls handled and who pays for calls you make from your home phone; where will you work on the days you're in the office.

[lynnzop[$]]

I think Frazz and MJ have hit the nail on the head. You might also want to check into the tax rammifications - if you turn a section of your home into an office for work, there may be tax benefits. Might also want to ask about a second phone line so you don't have to use your personal line for work calls.

It's tempting to work from home in your jammies, but I've found that if you are working from home, you need to shower, put on decent clothes and seclude yourself in order to be really effective.

Lynn

[soxfan[$]]

Those are all good issues to raise. Also, figure out exactly where in the house you would put your office, and how you would want to set things up. Think about all you'll need -- phone? Computer? Internet access? Fax? Because of my living situation (I rent), I'm not able to have all those in the same place, but it would be much easier if you could put everything together. On the other hand, I do get some exercise trotting up and down the stairs.

[phoenixx]

I love working 100% from home. I love working in my sweats. A possible difference is that I am self employed, so I don't have a boss to report to or coworkers to satisfy - only clients.

I have friends who telecommute for their jobs and 90% of them don't miss a thing and find themselves more productive at home without the constant interruption of people droppng by to chat, etc. The other 10% miss being able to leave their office/desk and go chat with coworkers during the day.

The only hurdle for me is convinving honey to NOT ask me to run a bazillion errands and make a ton of phone calls for him during the day "since I'm home anyway", but he has gotten much better over the last year or so.

When I first started I had some trouble scheduling my time - I am very much a night owl, and most productive between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 AM, and am not good if I get up too early. Needless to say my clients need me during the day. I've managed to reach a compromise - I spend late morning making client calls if needed and sending business email and faxes, afternoon at any client site I may have to visit or at initial meetings if they are requested, take a break to see my honey and have dinner and see friends, then do the bulk of the work between 11 at night and 3 or so in the morning. Makes everyone happy. (I offer bookkeeping, graphic design, web site design, as well as writing and editing services, in case you were wondering what I'd do in the dead of night - graphics and web work, mainly)

I enjoy a healthy tax write off that covers a percentage of my mortgage interest, property tax, utilities, internet, telephone, auto expenses for maintenance (I drive to meet clients, etc), gas and other things. The percentage is based on the square footage of your home and how much dedicated space you use as your office for federal taxes, and the formula to figure it out is clearly outlined in your tax forms. States with income tax figure it differently, but also give a write off.

Hope that helps a little!

[Magick1]

My boss just kind of threw this out to me Thursday stating to think about it, come up with pros/cons if I am interested and we can discuss it further.

From my understanding, they will provide the necessary items (cpu, extra phone line if needed, dsl service, telephone connection so that it routes through a "flex" place server & I would not have to worry about anything - bills, tech support, etc).

I have a huge pro in that if they close down my "office" or move to another location, I don't have to worry about it. I am working at home.

If we move, which we've halfway been talking about in the last few months, I could just move the "office" with me to the new location, without too much issue.

I am not a huge social butterfly, I am a worker bee, so not having the work interaction is no big deal, really.

I can conference in the weekly team meetings, which are really nothing more than just sessions to discuss concerns and present new information (occassionally) or clarify current procedures.

Overall, the boss is very laid back, mostly the team runs the program, it seems. But, I can teleconference in for the meetings, and come down maybe 1 time a month or quarter, or what not (we could decide in the future.)

My hubby's behind me what ever choice I make.

I have issue with the separation of work/home. But, hubby's advised that we will transform the "spare" bedroom that we were looking to make baby's play room into an office. When I am in there, door close, I am working. When I am done for the day, door closed, office gone (out of sight, out of mind).

We've heard of my company coming in, buying out businesses and closing down "shop" but keeping their telecommuting people online because there is no actual office cost, parking fees, etc and it's easy to keep them on, even if they shut down the local office.

I am feeling that I will do it. Hubby would know better than to give me errands. We are both very hardline "work is work" don't fool around kind of people. So, if anything, I might have 1 or 2 service calls in a year's time for furnace/air conditioner. But, nothing else, as I am working full time from home.

I have a lot of pros, a couple of cons, and overall, just need to double check how it all impacts me work wise.

I think I would be still doing the exact same thing, but I am not sure. I think I would be paid the same, etc.

Those are the questions I have to ask and get answered.

They've already kind of touched on the fact that if they were to downsize, say the market slowed down, would we "telecommuters" be the first to go because we are basically not there anyway, and it was assured that would not be the case. (But, try to get that in writing, huh?)

Thanks for your feedback gang. It's wild. I have talked about working from home for a long time & never had the opportunity, and now it falls in my lap, and suddenly, I have so much to think about regarding this option, you know.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

Just a quick clarification - being a "social butterfly" is one thing, having your pulse on what's going on in the organization (whispers of moves and mergers, hearing positions are opening, etc.), the networking stuff, can be really hampered by not being on-site.

[lynnzop[$]]

Exactly...some people are able to keep "face time" without having face time, and others can't. No matter which type you are, if your office stays somewhat local, seriously consider going in for that team meeting. You'll lose a little time in driving, but keeping your physical presence in front of your boss and coworkers (who may be a bit jealous of your working from home!) is a good idea.

[pippadaisy[$]]

G worked 50% out of our home and 50% in MN for almost four years.

The one thing he noticed (and I'll see if I can't get ned1 to stop in to this thread, since I know she has telecommuted even longer) is that without being in the office, he was often passed over for promotions, etc. and I know that ned1 has some experience with being "forgotten" since you aren't bodily present.

I miss being able to schedule appts. for afternoons (babies would nap and he'd be here, though he didn't have to do anything), but he's much happier in the office, even though he isn't a very social creature either.

[phoenixx]

My telecommuting friends kept face time in a variety of ways. A couple of them knew they would begin telecommuting a few weeks before they started and didn't want to make their coworkers jealous or be out of the loop. They are in a mid-sized company and started a monthly pot luck supper chain, including the boss, which has kept them in contact with coworkers outside of meetings (and thus in the gossip loop).

Another few have instigated regular weekly cocktail meet and greets in a rotating series of lounges and restaurants, keeping in the gossip loop as well that way.

Just a thought.

[ned1]

It all depends on the job. I have successfully telecommuted full-time for the past 9 years. I started when I moved from MD to CA. I quit my job, and because I possessed so much institutional knowledge, they offered me the opportunity to try working from there.

When I started I had three children aged 1, 3, and 8. Placing my toddlers in daycare was NOT an option as my 1 year old had almost been killed by a daycare provider when he was four months old. Frtom that point on only family members or good friends were allowed to watch my children.

When I moved to CA I found out I was 3 months pregnant, so after 6 months, I had 4 children to deal with and work full time.

I'll stop here and say I have a very unique job that allows me the flexibility to work at home and set my own hours - I survey mental health providers for the federal government - much of what I do is writing (proposals, manuals, and forms) and solving data anomalies (scouring thru 300 pages of SAS printouts and trying to resolve discrepant data) - I could do that when they napped, were playing with each other etc. I could also take printouts to the park or my backyard and be with them while I worked.

I was also lucky that CA has one of the worst education systems in the country and my next door neighbors son was on "home study" - not sure what he studied, because he would spend hours outside playing with his RC car. I enlisted him as a mother's helper for days when I had to spend hours on the phone talking with the orgs in the survey. He wa always in eye site and would watch the kids when I had to have full concentration for my job.

As they got a bit older, they just fell into a routine - they knew when mommy worked and when it was noisy time and we needed him around a lot less. When I moved back east, I never found a need to have anyone help me.

I find it is key to have a routine - I am a slave to Franklin Time Management - without my paper book and electronic files, I'd be LOST. I also bend my schedule to meet the needs of my children - I work on weekends and in the wee hours of the morning so I can be at every school function and never have to miss anything.

It can work - it will just take time to get it all working

As for what you need to ask your job

who will provide the equipment you need to work at home - who will pay to fix it or replace it - (I have my computer - which is better and faster than anything they would ever give me - I dedcucted it off my taxes rather than have them give some POC that would not meet my needs.)

If I need specific software - like teleforms and crystal reoprts - sometimes they buy it or other times I get it and they pay me back - be sure to ask them how this will work and be clear if you have authority to get what you need or if you need to ask before you buy it (if you don't they could say it is an unneccasry expense and refuse top pay you back)

iron out your hours - can you be flexible or will they expect you work 9 -5. My job allows me to set my own hours - if I have a sick kid, they have no objection to me making up the time at night (they'd rather haved the work done than have me take my leave). I also have an 800 line that comes into my home - if I get call from the wesrt coast or HI at 9 or 10 at night, I will pick up the calls and deduct that time from the next days work.

will they pay to have a work line installed in your home

will they expect you to come in for meetings, and will they give you adequate notice to find care for your children. I need to be home at 3 pm to pick up my kids so I say any meeting I attend has to end by two. I also have stated that I need a days notice for a meeting to make arrangements should my children be out of school that day.

there is a lot more but this is getting long - if you like I can give you my AIM name or e-mail and we could talk - I actually just helped a co-worker go through this process so the list of stuff to discuss is still fresh in my mind

nancy

[Magick1]

Thanks! I appreciate the information.

I will be still keeping babester in daycare. She has really excellent care there & she's only 2, so working with her in the house would not be an option, as she has my full-time attention when she's home with me.

Work advised the cpu, phone line if needed, etc would all be taken care of, but I don't know about resources such as desk, file cabinet (if needed) or any of that stuff. Good suggestion to look into!

I appreciate everyone's tips and information.

(As far as promotions, I don't know about that. I have asked, while being at the office, about becoming a team lead, as many people have told me that I would be excellent. My boss states that she feels that I would have a few things to improve on before being lead material, we'll set up a meeting this week to discuss (that was in January.)

I am content being a worker bee in this company, as I get paid well and I don't mind not having the hassel of trying to figure out corporate America, meetings after meetings, etc.

Being in the loop would be good, and I intend to try to keep in touch. (My hubby actually works for the company too, and he will still be going into the office, at this time.) So, I feel that I have an excellent link for information.

[Magick1]

mjfrombuffalo said

Just a quick clarification - being a "social butterfly" is one thing, having your pulse on what's going on in the organization (whispers of moves and mergers, hearing positions are opening, etc.), the networking stuff, can be really hampered by not being on-site.

If it's any indication, I usually find out ladies are pregnant when they are "due" or actually in the hospital and the birth announcement comes out to the entire office! LOL

[poseidon]

Okay. I did the telecommuting thing for seven years. The first couple of years were a blast. After that, the honeymoon ended very quickly.

Good things about working from home: You can do your normal household stuff while you're working (multi-tasking). There was never any problems getting the laundry done the household chores done, etc. If you wanted to play on the computer, that was never a problem, either. Neither was playing with the dog.

Bad things about working from home: You lose a room in your home. If you don't have a large home, this can present a problem. If you're in the service industry, the phone and fax never stop. I've had to turn off the phone ringer at 5pm and remember to turn it back on at 8am. However, that doesn't stop the fax machine, which kachunk, kachunk, kachunks 24/7. Back in the 2-bedroom condo, it was loud. I was surprised when the office was on the entire other side of the townhouse but I could still hear that loud and clear.

Personal recommendations:

1. Get dressed every morning as if you were going to see someone (in other words, make yourself presentable). I found the days that I didn't bother to do anything but put on sweats made it extraordinarily difficult to get any work done.

2. If you have projects, get them done as soon as possible in the morning. I had no problems with time management issues because I got all of my work due that day done first thing. That means that all I had to do the rest of the day was answer the phones.

You will find, for the most part, that without the distractions of your fellow employees, you'll get a lot more work done in the same period of time as you would in an office environment.

That is, of course, unless you're prone to distraction.

Telecommuting works for some people, doesn't work for others. It worked great for me, but I simply hated having the office inside my house.

BTW, the tax deduction? I never found it to be worth the hassle or extra expense of filling out the tax forms, and the difference was negligable.

[ned1]

LOL - my biggest challenge was getting my east co-workers to recall that 8 AM their time was 5 AM my time - now it's getting them to realize that just because I get up to work at 5 AM doesn't mean they can call me before 8 AM (as I like my kids to sleep in as much as possible)

getting dressed for me means putting on my bathrobe - I have not problem working in my jammies or mixing howusework with real work - I could sit in front of my computer all day long but I like to get up and move about by tossing in a load of laundry or loading the dishwasher. just remember if you have your jammies on and get lots of packages - be careful when the UPS man comes to house - I have bent over to pick up a package more than once and let the girls out - now I just let him leave the packages on the doorstep

as a mother I can say make it very clear to all your other mommy friends that you are not just staying home - you are working at home or they will try to make you the world's largest doormat. I've lost quite a few friends who couldn't get that thru their thick skulls (from moms who work outside the home and moms who stay at home)

moms who work outside the home seem to think that because I was home I could watch their semi-sick child so they could go to work that day - moms who stay at home thought it might be nice to have their child come over for a play date with my youngest while I was working and would get miffed it I said no.

my neighborhood happens to have tons of stay at home moms who thought I was the most anti-social person on the block - because I turned down all those home parties they throw during the day - it really took a lot of explaning to get them to understand that yes I am home, but I am working just like I would in an office so I just cant' step out for non-family related extras

as for the fax - I have an awesome program that allows my computer to answer faxes so I never hear it

you also have to be firm with co-workers - I had one dingbat who went and reported me for not answering her calls - alleging that I must be out and not working - I had to get real tough about it - like duh don't you ever use the bathroom, have lunch etc - plus I am on an 800 line a large chunk of the day and can't answer my desk phone - lucky for me the computer time stamps all my work - so I could show yes I was working and unable to take the call when it came in

also with kids, make sure you keep your work up (on the off chance they are in your office) - my survey forms are very pretty colors - and my 1 year old thought it would be fun to color on them instead of the white paper I gave her - lucky my project officer had a good sense of humor - I also set her up a a mini office - with a huge calculator, fake phone and baby computer so she could sit and work with me - that kept her occupied and made my work day a lot more fun - I think I had the only 2 year old who would dial a phone and ask, "does your general hospital have separate psychiatric services?"

nancy

[Sooner95]

Yea, it seems that Companies are going to this route more an more. I know ours is, cut out the office space, rents ect.. and let us work out of our houses. I'm an Engineer for paging network, so pretty much my office has always been on 4 wheels. Now I still go into the "office" a few days a week, but usually its for like a half day, morning, check emails, plan the week, ect.. I have the Company Intranet up an running on my home pc's , I don't mind using them for it. I can access all 96 of my sites remotely if needed to check things, also have email at home and wirelessly, which is a plus. So i'm never out of the loop.

I hope ot eventually be %100 home workbound. I find going into the office is tedious, and I tend to get more done planning my day from home.

[frazzledspice]

What a blessing this would be for people who might otherwise have to commute to big cities.

When I first got out of college in the early 1970's I lived in Queens and commuted to Manhattan. I would walk about 3/4 mile to the subway (in heels), stand on the subway about 45 minutes (in heels), climb three flights of stairs and walk another three blocks or so (in heels.)

Thirty some years later, I don't think I'd have the strength (and like the more sensible people who followed me, I'd ditch the heels.)

My sister is a VP at a NY Bank that has had about four mergers in the past ten years (miraculously, she survived them all.) In the last merger she had to start commuting to Manhattan to keep her job (she's 51.) She gets on the LIRR at 5 in the morning and doesn't get home till 7 at night (she also either takes the subway or walks about 1 1/2 miles.)

She had fractured her back 15 years ago, and her back trouble has come back big time. She now needs physical therapy three times a week.

In places where commutes are long, telecommuting is a blessing not only for the environment, but for the workers.

[wivabef]

Big fan of telecommuting. Loved it. Any of the cons (people call you "after hours" because your "office" is always open) were mimimal compared to the other pros.

I will vote with the others... make a Separate space, set specific hours, sitter or daycare and face time... make a point to show up to the office once or twice a week for any various excuses (pick up mail, have a meeting, whatever). It's amazing how many people would still say "who are you?" ...they knew who I was when I left.

[theworm[$]]

Harumph!!! I responded to this this morning, and its not here!

Well, I agree with what most of the other people said - so I won't try to duplicate my post.

I'd do it in a heartbeat - just make sure to separate work time from mommy/housewife time. It requires a lot of discipline, but if you can do that - I would LOVE to work from home.