With technology the way it is today, why isn't there more telework?

[Anonymous]

I think a balance of both is key to maximizing productivity and quality of life. I am always interrupted by a million other questions, meetings and issues when in the office that it's hard to get focused time on my own projects. That is always better at home. I telework one day per week but can really do it as much as I need to. We highly respect that time for our employees, and we give new moms 2-3 days per week.

[Anonymous]

I, personally, am an office person, though I could definitely work from home once per week. I do like having colleagues around, I like having the coffee machine, a copy machine/printer and a real phone and desktop. I also live in a small apartment, so if I work from home a lot, I get claustrophobic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2-5 meetings a day. So much harder to do over the phone than in person.

Why can't you WebEx, for example?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to telework! I keep my work and my home separate. And I certainly don't want a laptop and work phone and thus the expectation that I am available anytime anywhere at the whim of anyone.

If you have kids, aren't they at school?

This is a psychological dilemma, not a work issue.

I get more done on days I'm working from home. I have no distractions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Although I love my telework time, my colleagues and are more productive when we're in the office. There's more brainstorming, more collaborating, and overall a more professional feel.

I think what people are missing is that this is very industry specific. Not to mention job specific. I work at a nonprofit. When I'm doing budget spreadsheets or filling out a grant report, being at home is fine. When we are brainstorming how to approach a new funder or working on our analytics, being together is best. It's not one-size-fits-all.

Meet at a coffee shop. I don't get it. It's an office. Not all meetings have to take place in an office.

formal presentations? sure - as the technology is readily available

but to brainstorm? not necessary

[Anonymous]

Too easy to not be connected/care about people who aren't in the office with, and in the last recession, teleworkers were the first to go. Ask me how I know--I won't make that mistake again. A lot easier to lay someone off you never see than the person you chat with in the breakroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Managers stuck in the "I need to see you at your desk to know you are working" mindset.

This. In my office, the top guys are about 60. The next layer of management is about 40. The 60 year olds HATE telework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2-5 meetings a day. So much harder to do over the phone than in person.

Why can't you WebEx, for example?

NP.

I've worked in a variety of environments and webex is great for some types of meetings/groups, but not all. And some people have TERRIBLE audio/video conferencing etiquette. It can be extremely frustrating and not productive use of anyone's time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Although I love my telework time, my colleagues and are more productive when we're in the office. There's more brainstorming, more collaborating, and overall a more professional feel.

I think what people are missing is that this is very industry specific. Not to mention job specific. I work at a nonprofit. When I'm doing budget spreadsheets or filling out a grant report, being at home is fine. When we are brainstorming how to approach a new funder or working on our analytics, being together is best. It's not one-size-fits-all.

Meet at a coffee shop. I don't get it. It's an office. Not all meetings have to take place in an office.

formal presentations? sure - as the technology is readily available

but to brainstorm? not necessary

Which coffee shop if people live all over the DC area? What if one person needs to dial in? What if you get to the coffee shop and there isn't a table large enough? Coffee shop might work for a 1:1 but maybe not a larger team meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too easy to not be connected/care about people who aren't in the office with, and in the last recession, teleworkers were the first to go. Ask me how I know--I won't make that mistake again. A lot easier to lay someone off you never see than the person you chat with in the breakroom.

Most people I work with are in NYC and Chicago. The big boss is in philly. But my direct boss I do work with two days a week in the office here in DC. My company heavily encourages telework, they like the space it saves and the reputation for flexibility. But we do like to interact as a team a few days a week. No need to do that every day. Especially when there is actual work to be done. Brainstorming can be good, but let's face it, the vast majority of meetings in corporate America are a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Managers stuck in the "I need to see you at your desk to know you are working" mindset.

This. In my office, the top guys are about 60. The next layer of management is about 40. The 60 year olds HATE telework.

The probably hate their wives and don't want to be stuck at home with them when they could be in an office.

[Anonymous]

I love to telework, but I'll admit it's difficult to call in to a meeting when not all participants are participating on their own phone line. In other words, when people are sitting around a conference table or in someone's office, it's hard for me to hear them when I call in. Maybe it's just the shitty govt telecom equipment. So telework seems to work better the more your co-workers are also teleworking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Although I love my telework time, my colleagues and are more productive when we're in the office. There's more brainstorming, more collaborating, and overall a more professional feel.

I think what people are missing is that this is very industry specific. Not to mention job specific. I work at a nonprofit. When I'm doing budget spreadsheets or filling out a grant report, being at home is fine. When we are brainstorming how to approach a new funder or working on our analytics, being together is best. It's not one-size-fits-all.

+1