Telework confessions

[Anonymous]

why can't everybody have jobs like these?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh you cushy feds who get to telework ... some of us work on systems that we can’t access at home.

Many feds do, also. Telework is more common in the private sector: I'm considering leaving my fed job for that reason.

Me too. I am over not being able to wfh due to all of the layers of security at my agency. At this point I would trade my clearance just to have a regular public trust position.

My federal agency does not allow me to telework. I do not have any special clearances or anything, just bad management. I just spent 1.5 hours in the car trying to get to work - time wasted that could have been better spent online. My particular office doesn't allow it, but other divisions do get to telework. We are treated like children. It's a poor policy in this area considering time and money wasted in traffic. I have heard though that the agency checks up on teleworkers here, so I would never run around and have lunch or go to doctors, etc. It would just be nice NOT to sit in the traffic.

Get a real job. Leave the gov

[Anonymous]

I take an hour once a week to volunteer in my child's school, but I don't bill that hour to the client.

[Anonymous]

I switch to “available” mode about 2hrs before my work day actually ends so I can be in parent mode. I can be reached but am no longer actively producing.

If there is something I could have been working during available time, I log on and make up that time after my kids are in bed. I often work weekends and my days off too (I work 4 tens) so it all comes out in the wash. I don’t really get many days where I’m actually off work unless I am on vacation and out of town.

[Anonymous]

I take care of my kids while “working”. All my co workers do. We all cover each other’s back

[Anonymous]

I turn on my Do not disturb and nap.

[Anonymous]

My agency is quota-based and has pretty sophisticated monitoring so we all just work. Probably im a bit more productive from home than I was at the office since I chat less with coworkers and seek out help less.

I make my own lunches which is healthier and cheaper. But I also snack a lot more and probably go outside for ‘fresh air’ less, but factoring in not commuting i’m still probably a bit healthier. It’s a bit lonely, though, despite online chats with coworkers. Either place I listen to podcasts or talk radio or music but tv on or audible books are too distracting for my workload. I should probably join a class or group to get more socialization a few times a week.

With kids, not having to commute is huge. I can be there when they get home. Thats really valuable to me. House is probably a bit messier since I cook more and dirty dishes more, etc. but the car is pristine!

[Anonymous]

I use to nap (put on do not disturb) and take a class at the gym around the corner. My job was based on billable hours and I was available 18 hours/7 days a week. Certain months it was almost certain you worked the weekends. So don’t feel guilty at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I manage a team where someone (or multiple people) are teleworking every day of the week. I don't suspect anyone of not working (productivity is easy enough to monitor), but I really hate the resulting environment. Since TW has been implemented, I've seen a drastic decline in teamwork, interpersonal communication, and general team morale. It's not that people don't get along; it's just not a very dynamic work environment.

And I can't believe anyone who would tell me that having everyone on a conference call together is anywhere near as engaging as having everyone in a meeting. All of you have kind of made that point by acknowledging that while you are on calls, you are folding laundry, watching news, making dinner, driving kids, etc. Imagine an in-person meeting where someone is looking at their phone or reading a newspaper during the meeting.

- Guy who's in the office every day

Studies disagree with you. The new open office floor plan, for example, which companies put in place to INCREASE communication and team work was just shown to LOWER communication and teamwork. People are protective of their privacy, so they will adapt and find ways to get it. They will IM for example, instead of chat, to get that privacy which totally negates why companies wanted open floor plans. They were also do things like put on noise canceling head phones which leads people to hesitate to talk with them unless absolutely necessary.

Harvard Business Review published this one: https://qz.com/work/1322146/a-harvard-business-school-study-found-open-plan-offices-have-a-surprising-effect-on-our-collective-intelligence/

That study compares open office plans to traditional office settings. I don't see the relevance at all.

When employees are in the office, there is so much social interaction in the halls, in the doorways, in the breakroom, etc., that I believe it makes people more comfortable interacting with each other on a professional level as well. As for meetings, it is difficult to hear, there's always somebody who can't seem to see the shared content, etc. Sometimes it just helps to have everyone in the same room.

Don't misunderstand me - I know we're getting our work done. I just don't think we're reaching our highest potential and/or highest level of job satisfaction and engagement.

"social interaction" is fake; don't put too much stock in it. and enough with the corporate "engagement" jargon. It has been shoved down our throats the past several years and the way to get more of it is NOT to force ppl to all work in the office. Engagement happens when companies are doing what they need to do, the right way, etc. This involves transparency on all levels throughout the company, which most companies will not be willing to have. They TALK about transparency, but seldom practice it.