Telework Protocols?

[Anonymous]

So if you attend a meeting and don't take your laptop with you, you'll show up as idle and your client will complain?

That level of micromanagement is insane. If they're paying you enough to put up with it, awesome. If not, I'd be job hunting.

They should be managing for results & the quality of those results. Managing for hour-by-hour inputs wastes everyone's time and is very demoralizing.

[Anonymous]

So if you are taking a long poop, your boss will be monitoring how long you are idle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My boss just implemented a *new* telework protocol. It seems a bit extreme and is rubbing me the wrong way.

Here are the highlights:

- Focused, noise free environment
- Professional background for video calls
- Ensure face is not in shadow during video calls
- Presentable dress and hair to accept video calls at any time
- Skype status set to go idle after 5 minutes
- Skype status to "I am remote today, Please contact me at 555-555-5555"
- Outlook hours set from 8-6pm
- Ensure no pets or children are in the background

Is this normal? I only work 1 day per week from home as negotiated during my offer.

Your boss is certainly a micro manager; however, as someone who is 100% remote, I'll say that none of the listed items are ridiculous. I think he/she is trying to "lead" with a comprehensive set of best practices. This would definitely piss me off and rub me the wrong way... Hopefully with time your boss will realize working remote helps many people to be MORE productive, and this type of micro managing hurts morale. Ugh!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My boss just implemented a *new* telework protocol. It seems a bit extreme and is rubbing me the wrong way.

Here are the highlights:

- Focused, noise free environment
- Professional background for video calls
- Ensure face is not in shadow during video calls
- Presentable dress and hair to accept video calls at any time
- Skype status set to go idle after 5 minutes
- Skype status to "I am remote today, Please contact me at 555-555-5555"
- Outlook hours set from 8-6pm
- Ensure no pets or children are in the background

Is this normal? I only work 1 day per week from home as negotiated during my offer.

Your boss is certainly a micro manager; however, as someone who is 100% remote, I'll say that none of the listed items are ridiculous. I think he/she is trying to "lead" with a comprehensive set of best practices. This would definitely piss me off and rub me the wrong way... Hopefully with time your boss will realize working remote helps many people to be MORE productive, and this type of micro managing hurts morale. Ugh!!!

Actually the 5-minute idle thing sucks. Take the computer with you when you make a cup of coffee/go to the bathroom, so it looks like you are ALWAYS there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if you attend a meeting and don't take your laptop with you, you'll show up as idle and your client will complain?

That level of micromanagement is insane. If they're paying you enough to put up with it, awesome. If not, I'd be job hunting.

They should be managing for results & the quality of those results. Managing for hour-by-hour inputs wastes everyone's time and is very demoralizing.

Bingo. Counting minutes instead of measuring the value of work you're providing is bad management.