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Subject:RE: Commute/Flex work options a Deal breaker? From:Melissa Nelson <melmis36 -at- hotmail -dot- com> To:<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:33:50 -0400
In the last position I had where I attempted to work from home, my manager's only stipulation was that I was available by IM from 8:30 to 5:00pm and that I sent an IM when I left the house for lunch and if I stopped working before 5pm. I was always on IM, the problem was he was NEVER on IM. :)
I do think that IM is a great way to handle remote work. In fact, I am amazed at how often we use it in the office, seems a tad silly when the guy in the cube next to me IMs me instead of talking...but he likes it and it does keep the noise to a minimum.
Melissa
> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:23:00 -0600> From: straylightsghost -at- gmail -dot- com> To: klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com> Subject: Re: Commute/Flex work options a Deal breaker?> CC: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> > The best method I've used/seen for measuring performance is simply an IM> system (shows inactivity), email (requiring an immediate response to queries> 5-10 minutes) and, if your connected to a VPN - activity reports for the> worker's account.> > Trust is also a key - you really just have to let go and trust your> employees. If they start slacking it becomes apparent...quickly.> > -Collin> ------------------------------> collinturner.com <http://www.collinturner.com>> The unofficial words of a Tech Writer> [image: Collin Turner] <http://www.collinturner.com>> > On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 8:08 AM, Keith Hood <klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:> > > I was thinking of ways by which someone could keep tabs on a worker, to> > make it harder for a remote worker to slough off...It occurs to me that for> > the employer, requiring a webcam setup would be a good idea. That way you> > could actually see if the guy is at his keyboard when he's supposed to be.> > It could be jiggered with a fake image a la "Mission Impossible," but that> > would be hard to do. And if you call the worker on the phone and his screen> > image is not seen answering, that would be a dead giveaway.> >> > It may be of use to the worker to be able to see the boss at times. Lesser> > value there, I think, but it might come in handy for some things.> >> > I've never used a webcam. Someone with experience of them - would it be> > prohibitively expensive to have it going full time?> >> >> >> > --- On Thu, 6/26/08, Sarah L Blake <sarah -dot- blake -at- exony -dot- com> wrote:> >> >> > >> > > Of course, the problem with flexible working is that they> > > may also be> > > working from home.> > >> > > <glares at the empty chair normally occupied by the> > > person she currently> > > needs information from>> > >> > >> >> >> >> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> >> > Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or> > printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007> > Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.> > http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList> >> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.> > Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical> > documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com> >> > ---> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as straylightsghost -at- gmail -dot- com -dot- > >> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to> > techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> > or visit> > http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/straylightsghost%40gmail.com> >> >> > To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> >> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit> > http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.> >> >> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> > Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or > printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 > Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.> http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com> > ---> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as melmis36 -at- hotmail -dot- com -dot- > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/melmis36%40hotmail.com> > > To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit> http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.>
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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