work from home advice

bsmokin · 08-03-2010, 09:18 AM

In my experience as a software engineer the likelihood of a job getting off shored depends on a couple of key things:

1. How much 'communication' plays into the success of a role.

Even if you're remote, if you are required to communicate effectively and fairly often, this will protect you somewhat. In other words, if you are often involved in requirements gathering, user feedback loops, etc., then this protects you. Communication effectiveness and frequency still come into play when remote... it's just in the way of phone calls and emails, vs. face-to-face. If you expect to be just sitting behind the keyboard remotely with little to no communication (even remote), then your position is prime candidate for outsourcing.

2. Effectiveness and quality of management

Even if you are key to a team / project's success, including the communication aspect, a bad manager may still see you as expendable and try and outsource your position anyway in a cost-cutting effort. This is unfortunate, but seems to happen all too often.

Hope this helps a little in making your decision.... Good Luck!

tsolomon · 08-03-2010, 09:42 AM

I know several companies that support staff working from remote locations. Some of these were the result of closing small offices and setting up the staff to work from home as they value the skills of those people. The ability to use IP telephony to provide the employee with an office phone at their home location is another feature that's a big plus. Most of these people work in support rolls where a phone and a laptop are pretty much all you need. In many cases it allows for support 24x7 and keeps the talent happy and working for the company.

timj219 · 08-03-2010, 03:08 PM

Thanks for the responses. The communications issue makes sense. And it will make my decision easier. If close communication and coordination with stakeholders and project managers is going to be an essential part of the job then I will feel more secure accepting it.

I've been able to work from home at times on my present job and I am usually more effective there than when I go to the office so I'm not too worried that I'll lose focus doing it full time. You are right about setting aside a place and adequate time. Fortunately the work I do is mostly project based (and that will be even more true of the work from home job) so scheduling is very flexible and I don't actually have to sit in my home office from 9-5. Like I ever only work 8 hours anyway

08-03-2010, 09:18 AM	#1
bsmokin Slippin... Fast. Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Bryan Location: South Jersey Posts: 616 Trading: (15)	Re: work from home advice In my experience as a software engineer the likelihood of a job getting off shored depends on a couple of key things: *1. How much 'communication' plays into the success of a role.* Even if you're remote, if you are required to communicate effectively and fairly often, this will protect you somewhat. In other words, if you are often involved in requirements gathering, user feedback loops, etc., then this protects you. Communication effectiveness and frequency still come into play when remote... it's just in the way of phone calls and emails, vs. face-to-face. If you expect to be just sitting behind the keyboard remotely with little to no communication (even remote), then your position is prime candidate for outsourcing. *2. Effectiveness and quality of management* Even if you are key to a team / project's success, including the communication aspect, a bad manager may still see you as expendable and try and outsource your position anyway in a cost-cutting effort. This is unfortunate, but seems to happen all too often. Hope this helps a little in making your decision.... Good Luck!

08-03-2010, 09:42 AM	#2
tsolomon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 1,255 Trading: (31)	Re: work from home advice I know several companies that support staff working from remote locations. Some of these were the result of closing small offices and setting up the staff to work from home as they value the skills of those people. The ability to use IP telephony to provide the employee with an office phone at their home location is another feature that's a big plus. Most of these people work in support rolls where a phone and a laptop are pretty much all you need. In many cases it allows for support 24x7 and keeps the talent happy and working for the company.

08-03-2010, 03:08 PM	#3
timj219 Feeling at Home Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Tim Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 699 Trading: (15)	Re: work from home advice Thanks for the responses. The communications issue makes sense. And it will make my decision easier. If close communication and coordination with stakeholders and project managers is going to be an essential part of the job then I will feel more secure accepting it. I've been able to work from home at times on my present job and I am usually more effective there than when I go to the office so I'm not too worried that I'll lose focus doing it full time. You are right about setting aside a place and adequate time. Fortunately the work I do is mostly project based (and that will be even more true of the work from home job) so scheduling is very flexible and I don't actually have to sit in my home office from 9-5. Like I ever only work 8 hours anyway __________________ "All this of Pot and Potter - Tell me then, Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?" Omar Khayyam