Working from home

June 8, 2006 8:36 AM

Help me make a case for telecommuting.

I live in one state and work in another. My commute is approximately 52 miles round trip. I drive a subcompact so it takes 2 gallons of gas costing me around 5.00 - 6.00 just to get to work and back. Within the last week a massive amount of road construction began on the main bridge which has extended my commute time considerably and the construction is predicted to last at least until labor day. I've been trying re route myself to other bridges, but none are any quicker. The entirety of my job can be done at home. I've brought this up before and the only answers I've been given have been 'We can't do that', 'We don't like that', or 'Move over here'. I have been completely unable to get a real explanation as to why it's not allowed. Well, it is allowed but we can only telecommute if we use a vacation day to do it. (no, really) My commute is becoming a colossal waste of time and money. I'm losing an hour and 20 minutes out of my day and 30 dollars a week over this.

posted by pieoverdone to work & money (25 comments total)

If your office is short on space, you can argue that angle. You can perhaps try to come out with a compromise: you work from home 3 days a week, and come in 2 days a week and/or for special meetings, etc.

If they are not willing to even give it a limited trial, put out feelers for the job market closer to home, or for telecommuting elsewhere. If it seems likely you can switch jobs, go to them first and explain that you love the people, company, etc. but you are altering your lifestyle, and would be happy to keep working for them if you can telecommute. Otherwise, give your two weeks notice (but be prepared to be let go immediately. then again, they might change their mind when they see you are that serious).
posted by mikepop at 8:43 AM on June 8, 2006

Start small. Ask to work from home one day per week, then leter on ask for two days, and so on. But keep in mind that employees not seen or heard from tend to be undervalued.
posted by StarForce5 at 8:45 AM on June 8, 2006

If their concession to you working from home is that they'll let you do it if they don't have to pay you that day, then I don't think you're going to make much headway with any argument.

But that said, why should they want you to work from home? "It would be better for me" is not a good reason to them, what's the benefit? Maybe you could make the case that you'll get more done, or maybe you'd be willing to clock an extra half hour every day or something like that?

Also they're probably concerned that you'll be slacking off, say that you'd want to sit down with your boss, set soild milestones and keep a time-log in hour or half hour increments showing what tasks you're working on when.
posted by Capn at 8:46 AM on June 8, 2006

If you have a salaried position maybe you could switch to bid-per-job.

Take some chunks of work from the past, and list them at their cost per chunk. (Warning: you risk getting fired when they see exactly how much things did cost.) Then take the next chunk in the cue, estimate its cost according to past performance, and offer a lower bid.

Specify what the deliverable is in very specific terms, functionality, documentation, etc.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:46 AM on June 8, 2006

My advice is to not make it about you. Make it about how you can better serve your company (i.e. they can squeeze an extra hour and a half out of you each day).

Else maybe you can try a flex-time arrangement, where you go in super-early and stay late (thus hopefully avoiding traffic) and then take Friday off. Amy Joyce at the Washington Post has covered this several times in articles and online discussions. This seems like a better way to ease into it, since going from having you there all the time to not at all would freak any company out that has never done it before. Or propose a "trial run" for two months with telecommuting 1-2 days a week to see how it works out.

This sort of arrangement is coming up more and more, particularly where I live since people end up living so far away from their jobs. Companies that refuse to consider it are only hurting themselves. Just my little rant. Anyway, like mike says, you may need to think about finding a job closer to home, or consider moving closer to work if that's an option.
posted by ml98tu at 8:47 AM on June 8, 2006

I currently have a 100 mile commute and I get about 26mpg. 4gal/day or 40gal/paycheck or $120.

No telecommute allowed here either (I've asked).

Some companies are just paranoid or old fashioned (or both) and don't believe you'll be as productive at home.

In any case - my advice? Maybe find a new job.
posted by jimmy0x52 at 8:47 AM on June 8, 2006

My company had traditionally been stingy with this. The only way they started allowing exceptions was when people otherwise would have quit -- new babies, moving out of state (like, *far* out of state), or other huge lifestyle changes where the employee basically said, "I can work at home, or here's my resignation." Not as an ultimatum or an attempt to be pissy, just as a statement of fact.

Once a few people started doing it, it became more common for people with slightly less compelling reasons.

For you, I would at least frame the offer as working at home some days. I would also try to come up with slightly more substantial reasons, and perhaps how it might benefit the company. "It costs me $30!" isn't all that compelling to a manager, since presumably you knew where the company was when you started working there. "Given all the time I spend driving, I feel it could be better spent on my work. On the days I stay home, I can extend my working day by an hour, since I won't have to drive." Or something.
posted by occhiblu at 8:48 AM on June 8, 2006

Well, you might try demonstrating how your telecommute would work. Keep an eye out for nasty weather or road closings. One day, you will find that it is particularly difficult to get in to work. You phone in at the time you usually leave home, say it's at best dangerous to come in, you will work from home that day. Then you put in an amazingly productive day, using every high-tech tool at your disposal. You continue being productive until the time you would ordinarily finish your homebound commute. Then you bullet-point your accomplishments for the day and you bring that in when you pitch the telecommute again.

If the answer remains, "We just don't do that," then you're probably better off looking for work somewhere else.
posted by La Cieca at 9:15 AM on June 8, 2006

You phone in at the time you usually leave home, say it's at best dangerous to come in, you will work from home that day. Then you put in an amazingly productive day, using every high-tech tool at your disposal. You continue being productive until the time you would ordinarily finish your homebound commute.

I would still get charged a vacation day if I pulled something like this.

I had an emergency about 6 months ago which left me carless for one day. I worked all day from home. I found out after I came in the following day that I had to submit a vacation day for that. Had I known ahead of time, I would have not done a damn thing that day.
posted by pieoverdone at 9:18 AM on June 8, 2006

Also, I've brought up the idea of working from home one day a week and was shot down with 'We just don't do this' which is also the answer I've received when pressing for an real explanation. Everyone in the company is required to be on messenger, so it's not as if I could go home, flake out, and be MIA all day long and I don't intend to. Moving is not an option as I have just bought a house.
posted by pieoverdone at 9:28 AM on June 8, 2006

pieoverdone - about that vacation day. When you called in and informed your manager that you were going to work from home, did he tell you "too bad, it will be a vacation day anyway"? I.e. did he just let you work, with you assuming you were getting paid for it? I don't see how that can be legal. It's certainly not fair dealing.
posted by R343L at 9:28 AM on June 8, 2006

did he just let you work, with you assuming you were getting paid for it?

Yes
posted by pieoverdone at 9:30 AM on June 8, 2006

Gah, regardless of the legality, that just seems a horrible manager to have. Hope he makes up for it in other ways....
posted by R343L at 9:32 AM on June 8, 2006

Judging from the amount of "we just don't do that"-s you seem to have gotten, it seems unlikely that your management is EVER going to cave on this one. I'll throw in another vote for looking around for another job in the area and playing the let-me-work-from-home-or-i-quit card.
posted by cebailey at 9:47 AM on June 8, 2006

The more accurate data you have when you make your case, the better. Look into the technical and monetary aspects of it. Would the company have to reimburse you for internet costs? How much? Could you get your work phone forwarded to your home phone for the day? If so, will the company need to reimburse you? If not, how often will you check your voicemail? What's the back-up plan in case you lose internet or phone connectivity on a particular day? Will the company IT dept be expected to provide support for your computer? Will you want the company to pay for upgrades to your home computer?

Lots of managers are concerned about "emergencies," even if nothing is really an emergency, so have ideas for contingency plans ready. Could you come in for half a day if you needed to? Is there someone you work closely with that knows the work that could cover for you in the worst case? Show that you are prepared for whatever might come up. CYA, as they say.

I've found that in a lot of situations, logic on the part of the higher-ups and HR tend to fly right out the window. So just continually bring it back to that-- you will have more time and less interruptions at home, therefore you will get more work (and/or higher quality work) done, therefore the company is getting more bang for their buck. QED.

On preview: I would push the issue. Managers hate it, but you know what, it's their flippin' job. Perhaps you could write a letter to your boss and maybe cc it to HR, state very clearly your reasons for wanting to do this, and ask for a trial period again. State that you want to work with the company to get the best outcome for all of you. Also put in very clearly the consequences of not doing this: you will seriously consider finding other employment.
posted by sarahnade at 9:49 AM on June 8, 2006

Would the company have to reimburse you for internet costs?

They do not.

Could you get your work phone forwarded to your home phone for the day?

I was required to get a cel phone for this position since I am also on call, but they do not pay for or reimburse for it.

Could you come in for half a day if you needed to?

I could, but that makes the drive even more pointless.

Will the company IT dept be expected to provide support for your computer?

I have a company issued laptop.

Is there someone you work closely with that knows the work that could cover for you in the worst case?

There are 3 other people that can.

You will seriously consider finding other employment.

I'm pretty sure that's the route I'll end up taking. If I do get the courtesy of an exit interview, I'll bring up several of these points. Using it as an ultimatum will 100% guarantee my firing.

I may coherently string everyone's points about this together. There is a committe I can send this to that is supposed to consider our requests for any sort of environmental changes, etc. That will be my last go at it. I'm glad that I'm getting better supporting arguments from everyone. Thanks!
posted by pieoverdone at 9:58 AM on June 8, 2006

It's hard to judge tone on the internet, and it definitely sounds like you're frustrated with the situtation, but I think you may need to be careful not to sound quite so demanding and peeved. You know the company doesn't normally do this, but you feel that because of your strong work record and productivity, this is a favor they're granting (like a raise). I mean, don't grovel, and present a strong case, and say that you'll go elsewhere if they're unable or unwilling to give you what you deserve -- but also recognize that working at home is not a "right" you deserve, but a privelege you've earned.
posted by occhiblu at 10:35 AM on June 8, 2006

Maybe pitch working from home as a pilot project, with you as the guinea pig? You'd have to sell it as being substantially advantageous to them, of course, and the only way to do that would be to have research and statistics on your side. Show them that businesses see improved morale and higher productivity when people get to work from home. In terms of your own work, I'd suggest some sort of informal 'contract' or checklist of what needs to get done on any given work from home day so management can see how the numbers stack up. Good luck!
posted by kimota at 11:12 AM on June 8, 2006

I suggest checking out the Telework Coalition's webpage. They link to tons of news articles and studies regarding the benefits of teleworking.

AT&T has a whole telework webguide, including extensive links to articles, including an analysis of telework's economic, environmental and social impacts. You should find plenty of ammunition as to why your company should implement a real telework policy.
posted by lemoncello at 12:09 PM on June 8, 2006

They also have a guide for developing a business case to help convince your boss to let you telework.
posted by lemoncello at 12:12 PM on June 8, 2006

I know you want to telecommute, but it doesn't sound like your office allows it. Would they allow you to alter your schedule slightly so you miss out on some of the worst traffic? That might make your commute quicker so you're not wasting so much time on the road. Perhaps if you're driving through the construction zone at a non-peak time it won't kill your day?

Also, did you have this job when you purchased your home in the next state? If so, didn't you know that the commute was going to be so long/cost you so much? If you didn't have this job, and got it later, again, didn't you know this commute was going to be so long/cost you so much? Maybe when you're negotiating for a new job (which it sounds like you're leaning towards), you might want to take that into account in advance - rather than being reactive when you realize how much it sucks to commute, maybe try out the commute before you even take the interview?
posted by MeetMegan at 12:18 PM on June 8, 2006

I was going to quit my job outright, but was offered half-time contract work, which I took. So now I work half-time from the other side of the planet. Perhaps you can swing something like this if you're not in dire financial straits and they like you.
posted by beerbajay at 12:26 PM on June 8, 2006

When I'm at work, I don't really interact with anyone else except through messenger. We all put our headphones on, go to work, and ignore pretty much everything until someone makes noise about going to lunch. It just seems utterly pointless to be here unless I have to for a meeting.
posted by pieoverdone at 1:01 PM on June 8, 2006

If you don't interact with anyone could you just work from home and not tell a soul. Have a buddy claim your in the bathroom or something if someone comes looking for you. You clearly should be looking for a friendlier environment to work in (the whole vacation day thing is awful) and it might be fun to see how long you can get away with it for :)
posted by zeoslap at 1:20 PM on June 8, 2006

you're not your.
posted by zeoslap at 1:21 PM on June 8, 2006