TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:RE: The Case Against Working at Home From:"Porrello, Leonard" <lporrello -at- illumina -dot- com> To:Suzette Leeming <suzette -dot- leeming -at- gmail -dot- com>, Dana Worley <dana -at- campbellsci -dot- com> Date:Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:52:08 +0000
A very good point. I am able to telecommute only because my wife has chosen to stay home to care for our children. If I had to care for children or anything else, my work would get the short shrift. To ensure that I can focus at home, I have my own office, upstairs, and my set-up is actually nicer than what I have at work. As for life/work balance, working from home actually helps in several ways. First, it keeps me off of the insane So-Cal freeways. This goes a long way to helping me preserve my peace of mind. Second, since I would have a 60 mile commute, round trip, every day, I spend less on gas and auto repairs. This money is then available for other, more interesting, personal "needs". Working at home also gives my children an opportunity to see what Papa does for a living. As for being a distraction when they come up to say "hi", this is not much different from when co-workers stop by my cube at work to chat for a few minutes, except that while I like my co-workers, I love my kids.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Suzette Leeming
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2013 9:13 AM
To: Dana Worley
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: The Case Against Working at Home
I have to admit that I don't understand people who telecommute in their jobs and think it's acceptable to also parent children, do housework, etc.
I work from home and during the hours I am working, I am dedicated to my job. I may do a load of laundry, or throw something in the oven, during my "lunch time", but otherwise I am focused on performing the tasks I'm being paid to do. When my daughter was still in school, she would arrive home at
3:30 and I would take a "coffee break" and we'd discuss her day. Then I'd go back to working while she went to get started on her homework or chores.
We severely damage the perceived and real reputation of telecommuting workers if we are dividing our time and not focused on the job.
Telecommuting is not a replacement for daycare, for example.
>From all that I've read, it appears the main problem with remote workers at Yahoo was with the lack of management. Even remote workers need to be managed, monitored, and accountable. Lack of effective management has contributed to the situation at Yahoo, and all telecommuting workers look bad as a result.
Just my 2 cents worth.
On Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 11:13 AM, Dana Worley <dana -at- campbellsci -dot- com> wrote:
> The real problem is that very few of us are very good at being "present".
>
> If you are reading to your three year old or engaged with a friend,
> you should not be busy texting your boss. You should be fully present
> to the task at hand, whatever it is.
>
> I realize that reality is a little different, but it's certainly under
> your control to put down the cell phone and be fully engaged while
> reading to your child, or make sure the laundry is dealt with before
> you sit down to work.
>
> Dana W.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
EPUB Webinar: Join STC Vice President Nicky Bleiel as she discusses tips for creating EPUB, the file format used for e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and more.
