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Subject:Re: The Telecommuting Myth and ignorant remarks From:Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 9 Jul 1999 11:14:12 -0400
Tim Altom wrote:
<snip>
> My original post on this expressed what is essentially Barry's point here,
> but I didn't make it explicit what I was talking about: my favorite way of
> working is for a company that emphasizes the process and the team, not the
> product.
<snip>
Maybe you should have ended after your favourite way to work... period. A
company can emphasize process and team, but not be physically located together
constantly. Maybe your company just hasn't figured out how to make it work any
other way.
<snip>
a tech writer isn't generating documentation, but
> contributing his or her skills. There's a difference. Everyone contributes.
> A tech writer may do QA, or help with the GUI, or do project management, or
> do research, or go get coffee. And oh yes, be responsible for the doc, when
> the time arises.
<snip>
Oh yes ... let's not forget that ... but you make it sound like an after
thought.
<snip>
> In such a company, why not telecommute, if you're able to? You're just a
> writer or whatever. Not a contributor, but a job description. If that's
> where you feel comfortable, fine.
<snip>
If telecommuting makes you feel this way - then don't. However, I believe in
telecommuting in the right situation - and I still feel like a contributor.
More importantly, I was treated like a contributor by the rest of the company.
I agree that telecommuting isn't for everyone - some people need personal
interaction face to face in order to feel they are being taken seriously. If
we just look at this list though, I would say that there is a definite feeling
of community, and people who can be recognized as strong contributors, and we
have never met each other. I know that work is a bit different, but with the
right attitude and some effort, telecommuting can work - for those who want it
to.
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.
