Re: The Telecommuting Myth and ignorant remarks

[Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM>]

Suzanne Townsend wrote:
> Barry wrote:
>
> > No my friends, if you want to be part of the team, you gotta be there
> with
> > your teammates.
>
> Folks, this is a completely untrue and, if I may say so, arrogant
> statement. Barry does not know what he is talking about.
>
> --Suzanne Townsend (team teleworker for over 3 years)
>
I would like to add to Suzanne's remarks that, while this thread has been very
interesting, some of the comments and attitudes expressed will have a negative
effect on telecommuting efforts. If even fellow techwriters feel that people
"cheat" on their hours when they work at home, how on earth can any company
trust any of us?

In my last company I telecommuted, and I found that I was much more productive.
 I had a lot of freedom though, and I will admit to running out to the store in
the middle of the day if I ran out of coffee.  But time was usually made up in
the evenings and above all, the hours I reported were accurate - if there was
any doubt I would cheat myself, not the company.

As a telecommuter, it is necessary to meet deadlines and keep the lines of
communication open.  I am as near as the developer's telephone.  At my current
company I am not yet allowed to telecommute, but sometimes weeks go by and I
don't talk to anybody, I'm crunching to meet a deadline.  Why do I even need to
be there?  All I would miss is the office gossip and people dropping in
impromptu to chit chat.

I am professional enough to know when I need to come into the office, and to do
whatever is necessary to get the job done.  I give a time estimate at the
beginning of every project - the proof of my productivity is getting the job
done on time.  My formula for estimating never changes - and is well known in
the company.

The flip side of coming in the office (for me anyway - I realize it isn't for
everyone) is:
* No commute time (2 hours per day)
* No preparation time (1 hour per day)
* Less dry-cleaning costs
* Less car maintenance
* Less stress
* Less interruptions
* Less incentive to knock off at 5:00
* Less incentive to take an hour for lunch with coworkers
* Earlier start time
* Later quit time
* 25 percent more productive
* Company saves potentially $15 per sq. ft. real estate along with all other
associated costs.

I have a fully equipped office set up at home with three computers, dedicated
phone lines, two printers, modems, etc.  I even have battery backup in case of
power interruptions.

Telecommuting is good for the environment as well, with less cars on the road,
etc.

Instead of concentrating attention on all the ways telecommuting doesn't work
today, we should be thinking of how we can solve occasional problems such as
those mentioned (and I have heard some good suggestions) and work on making
telecommuting work.  Let's be proactive, not negative.

God - is it Friday already????

Have a good weekend everyone.

Suzette Seveny
Markham, Ontario, Canada
sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com or suzette -at- yesic -dot- com
------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
Any opinions expressed are MY opinions.
Feel free to have your own.
Let's agree to disagree
But Please - Don't Flame Me.

Work is a fine thing --
If it doesn't take too much of your spare time.


 From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=