Telecommuting as an option?

Question

And please don't say that not all jobs can be telecommuted .. we all know that! But more jobs can be than are today.

It looks to me that supporting telecommuting is a Real way of supporting stay at home moms and dads.

I mean for real it would be more free choice for both men and women. And career and family would not be so much an either/or thing.

I think this is much better than the corporate hell rat race that so many people have to live in and be stressed out by.

And much better than some lame trying to turn back the clock to the bad old days and pretend that economic reality and woman's choices are not real and important.

Hey this is the 21st century and we have the Net.

And Yes I do know that most corporations and governments are not high on doing this even if they say they are. That is something we can try to change. Workers who are more happy are better workers. It I was in business I would want that.

So how can we help make this happen more?

thanx Rio :) Actually I think the biggest issue is attitude..

Answer 1

When companies realize that they save more and make more via telecommuting it will become more accepted. I work away from the office 75% of the time.

It's an issue of management, trust, and productivity.

Telecommuters save money because the company does not have to rent office space for him/her. Telecommuting is a great option for many jobs, but not all.

However, some employees can't be trusted to work and not watch Judge Mathis and Ellen for 2 hours, or spend 2 hours on Y!A, and to validate their productivity requires more careful (time consuming) management -- reducing productivity.

Others will work their full time, but are not as productive when they know you can't walk by their desk. Bottom line, not everyone can be trusted to really give 100% effort if they aren't monitored. Sad but true.

However, I have employees who NEVER come to the office who are very productive. They appreciate the privilege and make the best use of it.

A worker who demonstrates that s/he is going to be more productive telecommuting will be more likely to be allowed to telecommute.

As a benefit to employees, we do have a telecommuting policy that allows people who normally work in the office to work at home as needed.

Answer 2

Make it clear to both employers & employees that it must be taken seriously. It's not just punching the clock, but giving work your full attention. One thing is being home when your kids get back from school & another is trying to home-school while you telecommute, it doesn't work like that. Properly done it can benefit everyone.

I'm allowed to telecommute some days and I could do it permanently. The reality is that I'm more productive from home, but then I have no distractions there. If I take a little time to check my e-mail or leave the TV on, none of that interferes with my work tasks.

From an employee POV, I can save a fortune in transportation & food, not to mention the many hours of getting ready & fighting traffic. On the other hand you need the proper equipment & setup, and good work ethics.

From the employer POV, there's less absences (I don't have to take the day off to wait for the cable guy or a delivery, or if I'm just a little sick). One doctor's appointment doesn't take a whole day without the back-and-forth. It's just as easy to verify an employee is working properly without literally looking over their shoulders. Employees always will last longer & be more loyal if they feel appreciated & trusted.

If both parties treat each other seriously and with consideration, it can work wonders.

Answer 3

Great idea! I have always thought that the era of the Cottage Industry was much more family-friendly than what was going on during the industrial revolution. Familes started to be split up all day long, leading to loads of stress for everyone. So let's bring back the cottage industry!

My husband has worked from home on and off as an architectural engineer. One would assume that he would need to always work on-site, but with high-tech laptop computers, scanners and copy machines, and a business-only line in the house, it really is quite doable. I think if everyone who knows that he or she is a valuable employee would ask to do one or two days a week off-site, jobs would quickly adapt to suit this preference. Bosses don't want to lose valuable employees, and it often saves them money as well.

Isn't it better for the environment? Perhaps companies that can cut down on energy and gas costs by having less employees commuting should get a tax break.

Answer 4

My Daughter in-law had twins a little over a year ago, being part of a two income family team , She did not have the option of stopping to work, They took a chance and started a business out of the garage at home and it has been successful , allowing her to be a stay at home working mom. Its a lot of work but when the business gets to the point ,my son will be able to quit his job and work with her.
I think they made a wise choice, for the family and the welfare of the twins.

Answer 5

Telecommuting is a great choice, well it is not a job option but it is the choice of working either from home or commuting in workplace. It is a choice of your comfort level. Telecommuting certainly has certain advantages which one can't neglect.

Answer 6

Cisco is releasing a program called TelePresence that, though highly expensive, will allow people to telecommute effectively. It's better for the environment and cuts down on travel stress. One of the women who uses it lives in Texas, but works in California, thanks to this system.

Answer 7

I am a controller and I could do most of my job from home. The problem is that employers do not want to take that leap. I have approached past and current employers witht he idea of p/t at work, p/t at home, and I even suggested a wage decrease for my convenience but there is a lot of resistance.

But yes, you are right. That would help solve the problem.