What’s It Really Like to Telecommute?

I’ve received a few emails over the last few weeks that have asked me what I like and don’t like about telecommuting.

I thought I’d answer this today since we just had a massive snowstorm with about a foot of snow.  One days like this, of course I LOVE the fact that my daily commute is ten seconds!

Here are a few things I enjoy about telecommuting:

Flexible Schedule
This is probably the number one thing telecommuters like about working at home.  Now, I still have to get my work done each day, but I don’t have someone standing over me.  That means I have to motivate myself.  But it also means that if I need to work at 8:00 at night, I can do that.  If I need to schedule a doctor or dentist appointment or whatever, it’s no biggie.

No Commute
This has become a huge issue for our family since gas prices have gone bonkers.  Granted, they’ve come down now, but the fact that I don’t spend near the amount of money on gasoline is awesome.

No Cubical Hell
You know all those loud and obnoxious cube dwellers?  I don’t have them now.

No Dress Code
I could probably sit around in my pj’s and work all day, but I don’t. Still, I wear a ratty old tee shirt and jeans and that is great for me.  No nylons!  No pumps!

Along with the upsides of telecommuting, however, are some negatives.  For instance:

Lonliness
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a writer and work best being alone.  However, even I, shy and introverted girl that I am get lonely sometimes.  That’s where going to lunch with my friends or using social networking sites like Twitter really help.

Reduced Pay
Not all jobs offer reduced pay just because you work from home.  I chose to write for a living which does pay less than my office job.  Some telecommuting jobs pay less but offer more in the way of flexibility.

Out of the Loop
With technology today it’s easy to keep in touch with what’s going on in the office.  But you will lose something by not being there.  When you sit right next to someone, you’re able to overhear things and find out information very quickly.

Questions About Workload
Some telecommuters I know feel the need to justify the work they do because they are constantly being looked at very closely by their manager.  There is still a perception that telecommuters don’t do as much as the regular office staff.  However, this attitude is changing.

All in all?  I wouldn’t trade it!  The upsides more than make up for any negative aspects.  Especially when I’m looking out my window at a foot of snow…..