how to ask for telecommuting option in an interview

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently had a candidate turn down an offer because we didn't offer telecommuting, which she didn't bring up until after the offer was made. Our office does not offer telecommuting, period. If she had told me it was a dealbreaker in the first of three interviews, I wouldn't have wasted her time/PTO/excuses for missing work.

If it is a dealbreaker for you (as opposed to something that you would weigh against compensation or other perks), I think you should bring it up in your first interview, as part of a question about benefits. Ask about the benefits package. If telecommuting is an option, it will most likely be listed here.

You should mention that in the ad. Teleworking is very standard now and it's strange for a job to absolutely refuse to offer it.

My job doesn't list telework as a benefit, it's more of an option and would be verbally mentioned. They wouldn't put it down in writing.

I should mention "no telework" in the ad? Should I also mention we don't have a gym subsidy, we have to pay for our parking, and there is no snack machine in the building?

[Anonymous]

Be wary of discussing it during interview, even with HR. I had an HR person once ask me about it, and what I'd consider an ideal schedule. At the time, I telecommuted whenever I felt like it. So I said something along the lines of once or twice a week is a nice option, but that I'm flexible--don't have to telecommute. She turned around and told the hiring manager that I insisted on having telecommuted as a requirement. WTH.

[Anonymous]

I brought up flexible work schedules in my first phone interview because it was a deal breaker for me. If it's a nice to have, wait until the offer but why waste time if it's important?

[Anonymous]

Another vote for at offer stage. You have leverage then. During the interview you ask questions like "Tell me about the culture" and try and suss out what kind of environment it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait until you get the offer.

+1

NP but I waited until I got my offer. Their answer was vague "teleworking is available to all employees depending on your performance." I pressed hard for more information and none ever came out. Turns out boss hates telework. I'm two years in and recently I got one day a month of telework. I feel conned. There has to be a better way to find out before you even apply or interview.

+1 At my job, telework depends on the supervisor and it is considered a privilege, not a benefit.

That's because telework is a privilege. Dealing with employees who think telework is a right is obnoxious.

lol good luck with that you old fart, it's a requirement for anyone under 40

We don't have telework. I'm not an old fart and neither are the majority of my coworkers. We've been interviewing for a new position and have been flooded by the level of interest & caliber of candidates we've seen. Most professionals do not consider telework a right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait until you get the offer.

+1

NP but I waited until I got my offer. Their answer was vague "teleworking is available to all employees depending on your performance." I pressed hard for more information and none ever came out. Turns out boss hates telework. I'm two years in and recently I got one day a month of telework. I feel conned. There has to be a better way to find out before you even apply or interview.

+1 At my job, telework depends on the supervisor and it is considered a privilege, not a benefit.

That's because telework is a privilege. Dealing with employees who think telework is a right is obnoxious.

lol good luck with that you old fart, it's a requirement for anyone under 40

We don't have telework. I'm not an old fart and neither are the majority of my coworkers. We've been interviewing for a new position and have been flooded by the level of interest & caliber of candidates we've seen. Most professionals do not consider telework a right.

If an employee works off hours to support a project and puts in long hours to get the work done, then why not expect some flexibility?
specially when the commute is long or if it is a parent who wants to stay home one day a week and let kids come home from school instead of going to after school.

[Anonymous]

I'm 30 and the only "telework" I have ever gotten is going home for dinner and working more after, or not going in on a Saturday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait until you get the offer.

+1

NP but I waited until I got my offer. Their answer was vague "teleworking is available to all employees depending on your performance." I pressed hard for more information and none ever came out. Turns out boss hates telework. I'm two years in and recently I got one day a month of telework. I feel conned. There has to be a better way to find out before you even apply or interview.

+1 At my job, telework depends on the supervisor and it is considered a privilege, not a benefit.

That's because telework is a privilege. Dealing with employees who think telework is a right is obnoxious.

lol good luck with that you old fart, it's a requirement for anyone under 40

We don't have telework. I'm not an old fart and neither are the majority of my coworkers. We've been interviewing for a new position and have been flooded by the level of interest & caliber of candidates we've seen. Most professionals do not consider telework a right.

Times change. It may not be a right, just like paid vacation isn't a right, but if you aren't willing to offer it, you will lose the best candidates who have a choice.

[Anonymous]

I had a first interview last week w/an employer that reached out to me on LinkedIn (call w/HR) and I asked the telework question pretty quickly into the call. I was told that no, telework wasn't an option, so the recruiter and I both decided to end the call.

The reasons that I brought telework up so quickly:

1- I dont *need* a new job. I currently have a job that allows me to telework and this employer is located 30 miles from my home...it would take me 1.5-2 hrs each way (American Legion Bridge, 270 spur, 66 all would be involved). If I were to take a new job, it wouldn't be one that would require me to spend so much time in my car. If I had no job, I would suck the commute up.

2- I didnt want to waste my time, the hiring managers time, or the recruiters time if I knew I wasnt going to take a job that didnt allow me to telecommute.

3- Lets say I got the job and "convinced" my manager to let me telecommute after a year. That would leave me being the exception in the office. I dont want people looking down on me for telecommuting if it isn't the norm. This happens in my husband's office (where telecommuting isn't the norm) and it isn't good for career advancement.

[Anonymous]

To the person that says telecommuting is the norm now, not really.

I have had one job where that was a option and that was only because of distance and a different manager. I have worked in different industries and telecommuting was not an option. It also depends on how the company has their IT set up. Some programs won't work with the latest version of Windows, for example, and therefore, work couldn't be brought home. Not every company gives out laptops either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait until you get the offer.

+1

NP but I waited until I got my offer. Their answer was vague "teleworking is available to all employees depending on your performance." I pressed hard for more information and none ever came out. Turns out boss hates telework. I'm two years in and recently I got one day a month of telework. I feel conned. There has to be a better way to find out before you even apply or interview.

Why do you feel conned? And why do you feel entitled to teleworking?

Teleworking by and large is a scam -- employees goof off and there is less collaboration. Most bosses know this.

[Anonymous]

Nope, this whole "teleworking is a privilege" doesn't ring true for me. Let's not pretend it doesn't benefit the company - mine just closed one it its offices around Metro Center probably saving a few million a year at least. They are consolidating space as many companies are these days now that technology allows it. No one has offices any more - all open floor plans - which is fine as most people work from home at least a few days a week. But let's not act like it's all of the employee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait until you get the offer.

+1

NP but I waited until I got my offer. Their answer was vague "teleworking is available to all employees depending on your performance." I pressed hard for more information and none ever came out. Turns out boss hates telework. I'm two years in and recently I got one day a month of telework. I feel conned. There has to be a better way to find out before you even apply or interview.

Why do you feel conned? And why do you feel entitled to teleworking?

Teleworking by and large is a scam -- employees goof off and there is less collaboration. Most bosses know this.

I feel conned because I changed jobs primarily to telework and to get a more flexible job. The pay was the same. If boss hates telework, he needs to have the balls to say it upfront.

I see telework like I see a 401k and annual leave. Necessary benefits that will sway me to whether I want the job or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope, this whole "teleworking is a privilege" doesn't ring true for me. Let's not pretend it doesn't benefit the company - mine just closed one it its offices around Metro Center probably saving a few million a year at least. They are consolidating space as many companies are these days now that technology allows it. No one has offices any more - all open floor plans - which is fine as most people work from home at least a few days a week. But let's not act like it's all of the employee.

Sorry hit submit before I got another point: for me it's more about a culture of trust and flexibility and less about actual telecommuting. After working for a company that valued "face time" above all else, I will never do that again. I don't need to work from home all the time but if an employer these days doesn't have a culture that supports professional adults, especially in management and above who they are paying good money to, to manage their own schedule (within reason) then that company simply will not attract and retain top talent. You see that time and time again - it's not surprise that the most competitive companies to work for, the Googles, Apples, Facebooks etc. are also the most known for their awesome cultures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait until you get the offer.

+1

NP but I waited until I got my offer. Their answer was vague "teleworking is available to all employees depending on your performance." I pressed hard for more information and none ever came out. Turns out boss hates telework. I'm two years in and recently I got one day a month of telework. I feel conned. There has to be a better way to find out before you even apply or interview.

Why do you feel conned? And why do you feel entitled to teleworking?

Teleworking by and large is a scam -- employees goof off and there is less collaboration. Most bosses know this.

I feel conned because I changed jobs primarily to telework and to get a more flexible job. The pay was the same. If boss hates telework, he needs to have the balls to say it upfront.

I see telework like I see a 401k and annual leave. Necessary benefits that will sway me to whether I want the job or not.

If you feel this way, then you need to state it up front. If a CEO doesn't allow telework, there's very little a VP or Director can do about it.