Teleworking in the ATL taking off! (Atlanta, Millen: house, job market, school)

[MattCW]

My company lets everyone after their probation period take one day, and everyone after a certain level take two days. Manager discretion also allows extra days if needed. But I can't do more than two workdays in a row remote, I need to be with people, and I think a number of people are like that.

[Forhall]

I do it most days. I am much, much happier now. It had allowed me to, on those days, wake up ~20minutes before work starts instead of over an hour. When I'm done at 5pm, I turn off the computer and I'm already home instead of wasting another 30+ minutes commuting home. It allows me to have the comfort of home during downtime, saves me from packing/buying lunch out everyday, etc. I control my own thermostat (I like it cold), don't have to wear shoes all day. I've had slow periods where instead of staring at a computer screen or trying to "look busy" I go take a nap or watch tv. Yet my productivity has massively increased because I am happier!!

Everyone should be able to do this where feasible. The problem? Old style managers who think if you don't have your butt in an office chair you aren't working hard enough. These tend to be the same type of people that discourage employees from using vacation days or taking lunch breaks. The sooner we get those people out of management the better. Work shouldn't be a top priority in life.

[LynnHarris1]

Originally Posted by Forhall

I do it most days. I am much, much happier now. It had allowed me to, on those days, wake up ~20minutes before work starts instead of over an hour. When I'm done at 5pm, I turn off the computer and I'm already home instead of wasting another 30+ minutes commuting home. It allows me to have the comfort of home during downtime, saves me from packing/buying lunch out everyday, etc. I control my own thermostat (I like it cold), don't have to wear shoes all day. I've had slow periods where instead of staring at a computer screen or trying to "look busy" I go take a nap or watch tv. Yet my productivity has massively increased because I am happier!!

Everyone should be able to do this where feasible. The problem? Old style managers who think if you don't have your butt in an office chair you aren't working hard enough. These tend to be the same type of people that discourage employees from using vacation days or taking lunch breaks. The sooner we get those people out of management the better. Work shouldn't be a top priority in life.

This...

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by Forhall

I do it most days. I am much, much happier now. It had allowed me to, on those days, wake up ~20minutes before work starts instead of over an hour. When I'm done at 5pm, I turn off the computer and I'm already home instead of wasting another 30+ minutes commuting home. It allows me to have the comfort of home during downtime, saves me from packing/buying lunch out everyday, etc. I control my own thermostat (I like it cold), don't have to wear shoes all day. I've had slow periods where instead of staring at a computer screen or trying to "look busy" I go take a nap or watch tv. Yet my productivity has massively increased because I am happier!!

Everyone should be able to do this where feasible. The problem? Old style managers who think if you don't have your butt in an office chair you aren't working hard enough. These tend to be the same type of people that discourage employees from using vacation days or taking lunch breaks. The sooner we get those people out of management the better. Work shouldn't be a top priority in life.

I am MUCH more productive at home. But, I don't have a job any more that is feasible to do from home. But, back in the day, I wasn't even on a work-day schedule. I had projects that had to be completed at some time over the course of a few weeks. So, I could wake up whenever I wanted, work as long as I wanted, do whatever I wanted, and show the results later. Never even had to get dressed in the morning if I didn't want to.

Yeah...if I were to ever go back to normal work, I'd make sure that working from home was not only possible, but encouraged.

[brownhornet]

The one thing I miss about my last job oh so much.

[Atlwarrior]

The technology factor will literally kill, most of, the traditional cubicle mentality; as I mentioned on a previous thread, corporate physical headquarters buildings will continue to become irrelevant; as technology and metric focus and docket based software continues to expand and take away paper. In the legal field many paralegals and lawyers have the choice to work and file pleading electronically from home. I just heard of one lawyer who move to Charleston, but practices in DC. Technology is disrupting every industry. I highly encouraged older workers to go get some technical training, since everything is going technical. The Federal Court Electronic Pacer system started in the year 2000, and allows users to file federal pleading 24/7.

[Citykid3785]

I used to be soooo pro WFH. Everyone does it on Fridays in my offfice, and I enjoy it. But I do think you can have too much of a good thing.

As much as I like my WFH day, it does also have its downsides:
I'm harder on myself in that I'm self conscious of the breaks I take at home
My wife and I sometimes don't jive. She stays at home with our 2 year old, and it's confusing. At times I think there can be a bitterness....I'm taking a 15 minute break or heading out to the gym over lunch while she's stuck changing diapers....if I were at the office, those downtimes are blind to her. Also, sometimes I can help with those things if my schedule is light, and other times I can't.

I do also crave that human interaction a bit. And when I can be in my jammies all day......I stay in my jammies all day. When I go into the office, I get ready, look nice, etc. And there is a clear end of the work day.

[DreamerD]

Originally Posted by MattCW

My company lets everyone after their probation period take one day, and everyone after a certain level take two days. Manager discretion also allows extra days if needed. But I can't do more than two workdays in a row remote, I need to be with people, and I think a number of people are like that.

I'm like this too but due to my experiences, I'd rather not be around co-workers in person.

[budgetwise5]

I work at one of the large, very old-school corporations that need to see you in the office every day, or they don’t believe you are working. Hours of pointless meetings discussing the same workflows that take months and ten levels of approval to actually get accomplished. Everything that is done can be done with a cell phone and laptop from anywhere.

I used to work in sales in a different industry, and my boss lived two states away. I managed to leave the house every day and be a top producer.

It’s amazing how much of the office-based workplace is demotivating and infantilizing. I’m in my 40’s, and I am made to feel like an intern they don’t trust. The worst part is that it doesn’t matter how many days I sit at my cube for 9-10 hours and take lunch at my desk, there’s always this underlying feeling of guilt or not making a good impression if I have to leave by 4 to take a child to the doctor. I have no idea how so many people live their entire careers like this.

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by budgetwise5

I work at one of the large, very old-school corporations that need to see you in the office every day, or they don’t believe you are working. Hours of pointless meetings discussing the same workflows that take months and ten levels of approval to actually get accomplished. Everything that is done can be done with a cell phone and laptop from anywhere.

I used to work in sales in a different industry, and my boss lived two states away. I managed to leave the house every day and be a top producer.

It’s amazing how much of the office-based workplace is demotivating and infantilizing. I’m in my 40’s, and I am made to feel like an intern they don’t trust. The worst part is that it doesn’t matter how many days I sit at my cube for 9-10 hours and take lunch at my desk, there’s always this underlying feeling of guilt or not making a good impression if I have to leave by 4 to take a child to the doctor. I have no idea how so many people live their entire careers like this.

My last place was like this. On email before 6am and until 10pm but heaven forbid if I wanted to work from home one day. And I was a senior executive at this company.