how to ask for telecommuting option in an interview

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they also employ the top ten percent of employees. Most of us are not hiring from the top ten percent. Most of us looking for jobs are not the top ten percent. Or do you think Google, Apple, Facebook employees are made spectacular by the work environment?

[Anonymous]

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.


I think this is the problem a lot of managers have with telework. You're not supposed to be providing child care while you're working from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.


I think this is the problem a lot of managers have with telework. You're not supposed to be providing child care while you're working from home.

I telework once a week and my kid is in aftercare on that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But they also employ the top ten percent of employees. Most of us are not hiring from the top ten percent. Most of us looking for jobs are not the top ten percent. Or do you think Google, Apple, Facebook employees are made spectacular by the work environment?

Not all of us are in the top 10 percent, but some of us have choices in where to work and employers compete for us. Google and those companies have such great cultures because they want to retain top talent. Many companies follow that model. I don't work for Google but both DH and I work for large companies that are consistently recognized for being great places to work - and they do by having good company cultures. Telecommuting is just one example - but a good company culture in my opinion lets people manage their time and schedule (to a reasonable degree, obviously).

Our companies have things like great daycare on sight, insane maternity leave (6 months!) and paternity leave, flex schedules, telecommuting options etc. Great benefits, exercise classes at work, etc. They do that to retain top talent and attract talent.

[Anonymous]

Telework is a must for me. I would not entertain any job that doesn't offer it. Where I work it's a huge part of the culture. Everyone teleworks regularly and I love it. I had multiple job offers before this job and telework is one of the reasons I decided to go with my current company. I think a good work environment definitely makes people work harder and I'm definitely more loyal to my employer because they treat us so well and telework is apart of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Telework is a must for me. I would not entertain any job that doesn't offer it. Where I work it's a huge part of the culture. Everyone teleworks regularly and I love it. I had multiple job offers before this job and telework is one of the reasons I decided to go with my current company. I think a good work environment definitely makes people work harder and I'm definitely more loyal to my employer because they treat us so well and telework is apart of that.

Totally agree. With the traffic and commuting issues (metro) around here - it just makes sense. Not saying 5 days a week as I do find value in interacting with the team - but I am very wary of a company who doesn't allow 1 or 2 days a week. Just such a time saver for me - not only commuting time, but time spent getting ready and just mental energy getting out the door and riding the metro etc.

Also, on days when you can't get in (Pope visit, snow days, etc.), you are set up and used to working from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Telework is a must for me. I would not entertain any job that doesn't offer it. Where I work it's a huge part of the culture. Everyone teleworks regularly and I love it. I had multiple job offers before this job and telework is one of the reasons I decided to go with my current company. I think a good work environment definitely makes people work harder and I'm definitely more loyal to my employer because they treat us so well and telework is apart of that.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telework is a must for me. I would not entertain any job that doesn't offer it. Where I work it's a huge part of the culture. Everyone teleworks regularly and I love it. I had multiple job offers before this job and telework is one of the reasons I decided to go with my current company. I think a good work environment definitely makes people work harder and I'm definitely more loyal to my employer because they treat us so well and telework is apart of that.

Totally agree. With the traffic and commuting issues (metro) around here - it just makes sense. Not saying 5 days a week as I do find value in interacting with the team - but I am very wary of a company who doesn't allow 1 or 2 days a week. Just such a time saver for me - not only commuting time, but time spent getting ready and just mental energy getting out the door and riding the metro etc.

Also, on days when you can't get in (Pope visit, snow days, etc.), you are set up and used to working from home.

Yes. Those days can cause undue burden on employees and loss in productivity. Those are very real issues for people. Snowmageddon was over a week, wasn't it? I worked a ton from home. Nothing got done at my DHs federal office.

[Anonymous]

Not a huge fan of telecommuting, too little opportunity for the impromptu collaboration that goes on in the office. I think it's telling that people who say they need iit talk almost entirely of the benefit to their personal life, not the quality of their work..

Op, if it is truly a deal breaker for you, ask at the interview. Be aware some employers may find the question disqualifying as it makes you liook like you are lazy.

[Anonymous]

I'm a working mom of preschoolers who would hypothetically want this as much as anyone but I hate when my bosses and peers are out of the office. I like face to face chats and really don't love committing stuff to email (since I'm a litigator especially). I'm surprised people love it so much. It must be great for types of work that I've personally never done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Telework is a must for me. I would not entertain any job that doesn't offer it. Where I work it's a huge part of the culture. Everyone teleworks regularly and I love it. I had multiple job offers before this job and telework is one of the reasons I decided to go with my current company. I think a good work environment definitely makes people work harder and I'm definitely more loyal to my employer because they treat us so well and telework is apart of that.

Where do you work? Sounds like an awesome place!

[Anonymous]

I will never take another job with no telework. I would not wait until I got an offer to find out if it's an option. During the interview, if all is going well, I would (and have) said, "what are you telework options like? Is that something you offer?" then ask follow-up questions as necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.


I think this is the problem a lot of managers have with telework. You're not supposed to be providing child care while you're working from home.

If this is the case, then Managers should not expect employees to work 10 to 14 hours a day and even work during holidays.
Most IT jobs require employees to work off hours or weekends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will never take another job with no telework. I would not wait until I got an offer to find out if it's an option. During the interview, if all is going well, I would (and have) said, "what are you telework options like? Is that something you offer?" then ask follow-up questions as necessary.

This

[Anonymous]

OP, trust me on this: raise the issue of teleworking during the interview with the hiring manager. But also recognize that if it is at a hiring manager's discretion you could have a new boss down the line who does not approve of teleworking. A hiring manager has to consider not only whether you can telework effectively but also the potential that other employees may expect the same flexibility. So it can potentially become a morale issue.

I say raise it during the interview because you may just have that little bit "extra" that encourages a hiring manager to show some flexibility which the hiring manager would not be able to discern if it were raised with the recruiter.

Don't wait till the offer is made if it is a deal breaker - if I were the hiring manager I'd be pissed off if after working out all of the details of any offer and obtaining the necessary approvals the offer was rejected because teleworking was an imperative. You are wasting your time and everyone else involved in the hiring decision.

Some years ago, I was involved in hiring someone for a relatively senior position; we went through all the hoops and I finally extended an offer only to be then told of a condition (not teleworking) which was out of the question. He should have made me aware of it ahead of time if it was a deal breaker. So I ended up hiring someone else but subsequently he approached me a several times about potential opportunities and I was not interested because I felt that he was negotiating in bad faith.

Teleworking is not a right but like all situations involving employment, you have the right to reject a job that does not offer it and the company has the right to tell you that it is not an option.