topic Re: Telework vs. Office in Community Chat

Telework vs. Office

RinaRina — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 13:17:22 GMT

States "opening up" offices ...

I don't understand why people who have been teleworking for the last month will be expected to go to an office in a few weeks. Why?

That doesn't make sense.

Re: Telework vs. Office

I am still oxox — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 13:31:06 GMT

@RinaRina

There are no general rules, there will still be lots of restrictions in place

@RinaRina wrote:
States "opening up" offices ...

I don't understand why people who have been teleworking for the last month will be expected to go to an office in a few weeks. Why?
That doesn't make sense.

Re: Telework vs. Office

millieshops — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:00:39 GMT

@RinaRinaI think some companies that have been forced into telework weren't really set up to function well, so there are probably many frustrated workers as well as frustrated clients who will profit from heading back into offices where social distancing can be done.

Re: Telework vs. Office

Spurt — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:40:09 GMT

@RinaRina

It depends on the type of business/company/agency is operating and how well technology accomodates it, and how up-to-date that business/company/agencie's technology is.... A friend says her systems are so old and out of date its very limited on what they can actually do through working at home (mostly just online training)....Oh BTW she works for a government agency....how ironic is that

Re: Telework vs. Office

kaydee50 — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:45:33 GMT

I had a job working from home for a short period of time. I did not like it. Missed the interaction with co-workers, etc. I personally would want to get back to an office environment ASAP. Fortunately, I'm retired and don't have to worry about it!!!

Re: Telework vs. Office

SandGirl — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:45:50 GMT

I work virtually 1-2 days a week and have for over 10 years, my employer has us all 100% virtual at this time, there is not even one thing I cannot do from home, the only diff. is, I am working more and longer hours becasue I don't have to commute and the excess office talk is null, I think we area all getting more done actually.

Cuts down on traffic too, I really think more companies should take a look at virtual and have the employees that can maybe do desk share and work say 50% or more virtually, it would save them in office space, reduce traffic and better for the environment not to mention mental health, my stress level has dropped quite a bit just by not having to commute, my fitbit shows my resting HR has been way down and I've been feeling better and sleeping better.

Anyways, just wanted to chime in

Re: Telework vs. Office

Laura14 — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:46:21 GMT

Everyone thinks in today's day and age you can easily work from home. From someone trying to do it, you cannot. The amazing amount of security that goes with a lot of today's software makes it very difficult and often impossible to access it completely offsite. Blame it on the hackers. I'm running back and forth as it is.

Re: Telework vs. Office

I am still oxox — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:02:33 GMT

My husband who works for a large gov't agency has no issues working at home, he has is work computer here and can log on with ease. He was also able to do this through our home Mac but it was much more difficult

Re: Telework vs. Office

Spurt — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:17:26 GMT

@SandGirl wrote:
I work virtually 1-2 days a week and have for over 10 years, my employer has us all 100% virtual at this time, there is not even one thing I cannot do from home, the only diff. is, I am working more and longer hours becasue I don't have to commute and the excess office talk is null, I think we area all getting more done actually.

Cuts down on traffic too, I really think more companies should take a look at virtual and have the employees that can maybe do desk share and work say 50% or more virtually, it would save them in office space, reduce traffic and better for the environment not to mention mental health, my stress level has dropped quite a bit just by not having to commute, my fitbit shows my resting HR has been way down and I've been feeling better and sleeping better.

Anyways, just wanted to chime in

@SandGirl

If you want a role model for your idea....it was interesting to see how quickly the LA smog cleared with people staying off the roads between the quarantine and working from home....

From an article in Discovery.com---

In Southern California, the view from Echo Park in Los Angeles to Downtown, and beyond to the mountains has been something to behold. Not only that, but Angelenos can see Catalina Island from Griffith Park, perhaps a sight that hasn’t been seen by most, if any.

Re: Telework vs. Office

Spurt — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:20:14 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
My husband who works for a large gov't agency has no issues working at home, he has is work computer here and can log on with ease. He was also able to do this through our home Mac but it was much more difficult

@I am still oxox

The availability of technology with no issues working from home has a lot to do with your city/state/agency and how much of their budget they are able to devote to their technology....

Re: Telework vs. Office

Bri369 — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:32:45 GMT

My husband has been working from home. They use a VPN and it's been running smoothly.

I've always worked from home. No change for me.

Re: Telework vs. Office

Still Raining — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:52:29 GMT

As long as your employer invests in a decent system it works fine. I have done it. Would save a lot of office rent and commuting.

Re: Telework vs. Office

geezerette — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:52:36 GMT

I don't care where people work. But when I need Customer Service from some company, I'd like to be able to get in touch with a real person without holding online for 30 minutes or being cut off completely. Or waiting for someone to call me back in two days so I can spend my money with them.

Re: Telework vs. Office

stevieb — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:55:33 GMT

Some jobs and some aspects of other jobs are amenable to telework but there are some things that need to be accomplished at the place of business with one's business associates. I do hope one positive outcome from this whole mess is that the stick in the mud bosses who have resisted telework are now forced to see that it can make a great deal of sense and have a number of positive side effects related to not having to endure commuting.

Re: Telework vs. Office

RinaRina — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 16:11:22 GMT

@SandGirl wrote:
I work virtually 1-2 days a week and have for over 10 years, my employer has us all 100% virtual at this time, there is not even one thing I cannot do from home, the only diff. is, I am working more and longer hours becasue I don't have to commute and the excess office talk is null, I think we area all getting more done actually.

Cuts down on traffic too, I really think more companies should take a look at virtual and have the employees that can maybe do desk share and work say 50% or more virtually, it would save them in office space, reduce traffic and better for the environment not to mention mental health, my stress level has dropped quite a bit just by not having to commute, my fitbit shows my resting HR has been way down and I've been feeling better and sleeping better.

Anyways, just wanted to chime in

================================================

Some people just like getting up and getting "dressed" ... to go somewhere ...

I'd rather do virtual; it's just more productive, IMHO ... no traffic, no driving, no loafing at the water fountain and no spending money on lunch! I can eat lunch at home!

Re: Telework vs. Office

RinaRina — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 16:16:50 GMT

@stevieb wrote:
Some jobs and some aspects of other jobs are amenable to telework but there are some things that need to be accomplished at the place of business with one's business associates. I do hope one positive outcome from this whole mess is that the stick in the mud bosses who have resisted telework are now forced to see that it can make a great deal of sense and have a number of positive side effects related to not having to endure commuting.

=====================================

Like New York! Nothing worse than having to stand on a crowded train AM & PM in an enclosed space with millions of germs .. and sick people who go to work because think "DAY-QUIL" is "medicine".

Re: Telework vs. Office

KathyM23 — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 18:04:47 GMT

Personally, I can't wait to get back to work in our office environment and actually get to see our clients and my office group. It is much easier to work at our physical location than from home. There is much that requires personal interaction with clients, my boss and other employees.

I do not have a long commute currently although I have several times in the past and to me that was just part of having an interesting job in the city, enjoying my co-workers, running around town on my lunch hour and actually going out to lunch. Besides, I like to get "dressed up!"

Re: Telework vs. Office

msgb — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 18:18:20 GMT

We are fortunate my husband can work from home when necessary. We live in a small townhome so that doesn't leave much room for him to do his work though. He also misses the interaction with his co-workers.

Re: Telework vs. Office

SurferWife — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 18:19:04 GMT

@RinaRina wrote:
States "opening up" offices ...

I don't understand why people who have been teleworking for the last month will be expected to go to an office in a few weeks. Why?
That doesn't make sense.

@RinaRina

I have a feeling that more companies will now become more accepting of working from home, as long as the IT infrastructure can handle the load. It seems like it would save organizations money by not having as many people in the office, i.e., condensing of office space.

I've been working from home full-time for 5 years & we do have the infrastructure for it. However, when in a matter of 2 days, all of the sudden our entire department (~300 people) had to start working from home, we did have to stand up new infrastructure to handle all the online meetings. Of course, when we do start allowing people to go back to work from the office, it will probably be done in phases. I know many are chomping at the bit to go back, but I'm not. I love working from home. Some people are cut out for it & some aren't. I'm thankful our company offered it long before our this crisis.

Re: Telework vs. Office

SurferWife — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 18:29:14 GMT

@SandGirl wrote:
I work virtually 1-2 days a week and have for over 10 years, my employer has us all 100% virtual at this time, there is not even one thing I cannot do from home, the only diff. is, I am working more and longer hours becasue I don't have to commute and the excess office talk is null, I think we area all getting more done actually.

Cuts down on traffic too, I really think more companies should take a look at virtual and have the employees that can maybe do desk share and work say 50% or more virtually, it would save them in office space, reduce traffic and better for the environment not to mention mental health, my stress level has dropped quite a bit just by not having to commute, my fitbit shows my resting HR has been way down and I've been feeling better and sleeping better.

Anyways, just wanted to chime in

@SandGirl

Many of the points you make I've been telling my employer for years. I am much more productive working from home because there are fewer distractions. I concentrate better without all the noise. I save money on car expenses, gas, parking, general maintence, etc. I have 3 extra hours a day (1.5 hours each way to the office).

Working from home does take discipline. Our employer began offering as a work/life balance benefit. There are several things I always suggest to those new to working from home.

1) have dedicated office space;the couch is not an office

2) keep standard office hours; whatever your standard office hours are at the office should be the same when your office is in the home; otherwise, it defeats the purpose of work/life balance

3) NO household chores during standard work hours. You wouldn't be able to do it at the office; it's a no-no at home. Employers don't pay us to do laundry

4) remember to take a lunch break, just as you would if working in the office

5) start & end your day on time; if your work day ends at 4pm (or whenever), leave the office, go into the living room and say, "honey, I'm home!". Tomorrow is a new day.

6) Weekends are FAMILY time, not corporate time.

I have a lot more pointers but you get the gist.