Dice.com asked the simple question: Would you take a pay cut if you could telecommute? While only 7% already do that, 37% would indeed take a pay cut to stay at home or work from a remote office. 36% said “Nope” and 19% just need work.
I think about what I do at home and what I do at a job site. Sometimes I don’t have a choice – the computers are at the job therefore I am, too. Sometimes the computers are in another state and if I can’t resolve over RDP, I’m then packing a bag and fillin the big ole gas guzzler. But what would telecommuting save if you were to have that option? The answer can be a lot, but also can be more of a pain.
First let’s talk about work time. You get there at 8 AM no matter what. VPN in and pull up your email, helpdesk and whatever else you need. You have a phone for communication, but not the office cooler talk to contend with. Then again, you could have similar distractions with kids, pets and annoying Encyclopedia salesmen…
You would definitely save yourself on gas and commute time. Whereas you might drive 20 minutes to an hour or more to and from work, you are able to cut that down to nothing. If a conciderable amount of people in your area did that, it could also change traffic patterns, rush hour gridlock and road damage.
Sometimes office space at a job is a premium. Gone are the days of “claiming space” or even getting your own office. Greener buildings require more open rooms to circulate air. When you work at home, you are most likely not getting reimbursed for electricity, heat and other immenities like coffee. That can save a company more if you are not there to take up the resources.
Meetings can be as virtual as you want them to be. With a good computer connection, web cam, telephone and office software, you can run or attend any presentation given. I remember one job where we ran GotoMeeting (I swear, not a plug!), and nobody ever phisically showed up for the meeting. They would just connect up to the conference and listen in on the phone from their desks.
In working home, you won’t have to dress up. Keep the suits nice and pressed for those days you need to impress. I don’t want to know WHAT you wear when you are at home, I hope you at least have a comfortable pair of shorts and a T-shirt to work in.
There are some downfalls to Telecommuting. Taking advantage of being at home can be one. If you cannot focus on work tasks, then being at home might not viable.If you can stay away from MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, personal email, the dog, the broken garbage disposal, the neighbors gossip and a lot more, you should be good.
Another thing you might be missing is the oppertunities to talk with people in the hall. Sometimes being “seen” is more important to your job than the job itself. It’s kind of like a feel good measure that someone is there to handle things if a fire breaks out.
This can definitely be a back and forth discussion. However, I think it’s a good idea to give people the oppertunity to work at least one day a week outside the office. They don’t have to be at home – a coffee shop, remote office or somewhere else might be the best ticket. It might also require the employee must check out company equipment to connect to the network. It still can rejuvinate the body and give people something to look forward to.