Community Chat

[straykatz]

On 3/19/2014 VanSleepy said: I think most people who are allowed to work from home aren't at a level where someone is concerned about and tracking how many hours they put in. They just need to get certain things accomplished.

ITA....and they are people who do not need daily management...and chances are they are salaried workers or commision.

[Pqfan]

My mom works from home for a major technology company because she wasn't able to commute to the office.

She also has many international clients.

I think it depends on the work ethic of the person she works extremely hard at home.

I just have to remember not to walk around singing or making popcorn when I am home.

It isn't professional to hear popcorn popping in the backround.

[focksie]

I think just like in offices there are workers and there are slackers, there are people of integrity and then there are those who look to get away with what they can.

[DoneTryin]

On 3/19/2014 VanSleepy said: I think most people who are allowed to work from home aren't at a level where someone is concerned about and tracking how many hours they put in. They just need to get certain things accomplished.

That's how it is where I work, though I know for a fact that there are some employees who abuse the privilege. Shame on management for letting them get away with it & setting a poor example.

[Financialgrl]

Years ago they were renovating our spaces and we were in temporary spaces for a year and that did not have enough space for everyone. They allowed us to work 2 days/week from home. Most people felt they worked harder at home - so, we'd not lose the privilege. If you work from home you don't have the distractions you have at work.

Think of how much time is lost the day after the Super Bowl or right now during March Madness, standing around discussing it when you arrive for work. We worked with a lot of people on the west coast and we were on the east. I worked in DC and traffic was horrible and after the morning and afternoon commute I'd be tired and, and it was the last thing on my mind once I walked inside home at night. When we worked at home I was more apt to answer emails, and make calls later in the day lessening the 3 hour gap between those on the east and west coast. This year with the snow we've had, it helps the roads and road crews a lot to be able to clear the areas without all those cars on the road. I think everyone knows someone who slacks off at work, probably also slacks off or does little at home but I feel most feel working at home offers more flexibility.

[biancardi]

I am salaried. My day is done when I have gotten my work done - whether that is 4 hours or 20 hours. I do work one day from home officially, but have worked from home at nights and on weekends. My job knows whether I am doing my job by whether I make my deadlines.

I have had no complaints from my boss about my work productivity - in fact, I am in high demand from other IT departments, and my time is guarded by boss.

[151949]

I believe that most people who work from home are either salaried employees who are expected to be available 24/7 anyway , and have a certain amount of work they have to do no matter how much time it takes . generally, salaried employees work more than 40 hours - that is why they are salaried - so the compny doesn't have to pay them OT. Or they are on a commission and only get paid relative to the work produced.

[terrier3]

More companies are having customer service reps work from home - hourly workers.

Their computer usage and phone are strictly monitored.

[chrystaltree]

On 3/20/2014 VCamp2748 said:

On 3/19/2014 VanSleepy said: I think most people who are allowed to work from home aren't at a level where someone is concerned about and tracking how many hours they put in. They just need to get certain things accomplished.

That's how it is where I work, though I know for a fact that there are some employees who abuse the privilege. Shame on management for letting them get away with it & setting a poor example.

Perhaps 30 years ago. But not today. When you call any bank customer department, insurance company, hosptial billing office; chances are 50-50 that the person you are speaking with is working from home. Everything is automated now, when companies are trying to cut costs (office space is $$$); one of the first moves they make is to send people who don't have to be onsite home to work. Customer service reps and sales personal don't have to be onsite. They can work from anywhere in the world as long as they have a phone, a computer and a fax machine.

[moonstone dunes]

I worked from home at my last employer . I used their BBerry and their laptop via the company's network via VPN (Virtual Private Network). So there is the computer tracking. We also used a chat utility both office side and at home. You show that you are "available" at all times unless you are in "meeting". You really cannot goof off.

As for socializing, a lot of companies encourage the social aspect of work and social media is now a big part of corp culture especially in the Tech sectors. I would bet a lot of folks here haven't seen the corporate settings nowadays with the Internet lounges, upscale cafs, Starbucks kiosks, electronic games and foosball tables etc. Monster.com was doing some of this as far back as the mid-90s.