Remote/WFH Expectations

84 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 10,2024 at 6:36PM UTC

   Here, here!

2. Lisa GreenbergAugust 10,2024 at 7:15PM UTC

   My company monitors your work on the computer, and knows exactly what you are doing at all times. I'm sure they would be very quick to address any concerns regarding an employee's absence from the keyboard.

3. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:19PM UTC

   Micromanaging is ALSO not cool. I do my job. Sometimes there's not a whole lot to do because I got it all done. I'm glad my company doesn't monitor every single thing I do while working.

4. AnonymousAugust 10,2024 at 10:04PM UTC

   Very true. You're being compensated to fulfil your job responsibilities, be it remote or onsite.

5. AnonymousAugust 11,2024 at 1:09PM UTC

   They monitor everything although all my work gets done and then some and I had kids at home all summer and exceeded expectations every week highest in my department so it can be done but you have to be very organized, and strong work ethic, because its people who don’t have anything other than work going on and they still fall short. My colleague had no kids, lives alone and would fall short every single month, make all kinds of mistake that l would fix because I didn’t want her to get fired but at the end of day she was still fired.

6. AnonymousAugust 11,2024 at 1:34PM UTC

   Thanks for posting this. I’ve worked in a hybrid role since 2015 (way before the pandemic) and the OPs perspective is right on.

7. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:31PM UTC

   Except it's not? I worked in an office for 16 years, 4 at home. People slacked off terribly in the office. It became even more apparent that they were slackers when we went home and the metrics were done by how much work you got done. So all it did was make it obvious to the bosses. The rest of us knew they were slacking in the office too.

8. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 2:18AM UTC

   Well, that depends. Some organizations or positions are more concerned with output than actual hours worked, especially when you are salaried. I’ve worked remotely for the last four years. The only concerns that my superiors ever ask about are whether everything is on track and if there are any issues they may need to mitigate. This doesn’t mean I work any less; it just means that the criteria are a little bit different and that I am given the autonomy to ensure results.

   You make a good point about how Sudden changes and how people operate are apparent, especially when they are less responsive on a daily or even weekly basis.

   At the end of the day, it all depends on your relationship with your cohorts, your work style, and how predictable you are in that working style. People are much more observant than others would tend to believe.

9. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

   100%. I actually worked more when I was wfh. I didn’t do any

   house tasks, even. I started before 9 because I was ready, no office chit chat, and then I wouldn’t realize it was after 5pm and I was still working. Unfortunately our boss ran into someone full on grocery shopping while they were supposed to be wfh & another employee was posting on social media live from his neighborhood pool, so now our boss is anti wfh even though most of us gave 100%.

10. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 12:40PM UTC

    Could the grocery shopping have been that person’s lunch break?

11. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 3:38PM UTC

    My husband WFH goes to spin class on his lunch break. Still gets his work done and knows more than anyone else. His boss has no idea of what his job is but that’s a story for its own post!

12. SarahAugust 13,2024 at 4:49PM UTC

    Also, why was the boss at the store during work hours?

13. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:22PM UTC

    LOL noticed that did you?

    I have 100% gone to the grocery store on my lunch break.

14. Michelle StewartAugust 14,2024 at 5:05PM UTC

    I asked the same thing....

15. maria roseAugust 13,2024 at 3:10PM UTC

    That example of being caught at the grocery store by the boss was probably upsetting to the boss/supervisor, because the person was clocked in as working. I am all for WFH, if when you are clocked in, you are working and doing job related tasks. Anything else, should be clocked out activities. Companies expect that the hours one is clocked ( paid time hours) is strictly working. Okay maybe in an office setting one might be chitchatting and drinking a beverage but you are still concentrating on work. Sure WFH, might mean you save commuting costs and wardrobe costs, but childcare and household duties are not part of your work schedule. Maybe you have a flexible timeline for getting the work tasks done ( expectations is within a 24/ hour timeframe, then you clock in , do whatever you can, clock out do personal tasks, clock back in and continue working on the task—that’s the flexibility of WFH—not clock in and do non work related things while appearing to be working to get the hours in so you have less time to be on the clock on your perceived off days. WFH means you give your job their equivalent of full time work in the same amount of time as if you were showing up in person to do the job—not finish the task early and stay clocked in as if you were busy working. There is always something else to do at work—Don’t be that team member who skates along doing the least amount of work in the most amount of time clocked in.

16. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

    Maybe the person shouldn't have been posting live from the pool but there's nothing wrong with sitting at the pool working. You don't have to sit in the house the whole day. My team's former leader was more controlling than I so when they ask me if it's okay if they work from another location be it out of town or whatever, I let them know I'm not micro managing like that and I believe that's a benefit of being portable with our laptops. They're all excellent at their jobs and get their work done so I don't care if they are working at the pool or in their home office

17. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:21PM UTC

    Yes! THIS! If it's a nice day and you can sit outside and do your work, why not? The day of the total eclipse, I carted my laptop outside to sit and watch it. Our office gave everyone the time of the actual eclipse off and had a food truck and brought everyone outside. So I sat at home and for that period of time that they were not working, neither was I.

    I've been able to watch my mom's dog, take care of her after surgery, travel to see my mother-in-law and work from their houses with no need to take PTO. It's been pretty amazing.

    We had one guy that had an RV with a hotspot. He'd travel around the country on the weekends and stay in different places. He used to send me photos of his "work spot" every once in awhile. He did his job, but goshdarnit, he got to enjoy life a bit and work from all over with amazing views. I was a bit jealous of that!

18. Michelle StewartAugust 14,2024 at 5:04PM UTC

    Okay, but why was the boss at the grocery store? Were they 'working'?

19. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdAugust 12,2024 at 12:31PM UTC

    Thank you for the insight! WFH continues, unfortunately, to receive negative connotation - for many of the reasons you listed. Which is unfortunate because the ability to have a hybrid schedule is wonderful for many people.

    I had an assistant who was remote from the office. I was laid back enough to tell her that as long as projects got done, she could work whatever schedule she needed. Unfortunately, this didn't work out as she took it to mean she could ditch me and do her other job (cleaning). I had to let her go after a month of not getting work turned in.

20. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 5:25PM UTC

    Sorry to hear that your asst took advantage that way.

    I'm an exec asst who wfh a lot (only when my executive is remote, traveling, etc.).

    But she has even stated on my evaluation that she appreciates my prompt responsiveness and willingness to work whenever she requests meetings or other things.

    I do get laundry done, workout on lunch break, dentist appts, etc. during my day as needed, though I ensure my timecard reflects 8 hrs work per day. Integrity in the little things, and doing the right thing even when alone is how I live.

21. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 12:56PM UTC

    I think there are weak links in every scenario (even in office). Those instances should definitely be handled on a case by case basis assuming the team as a whole are meeting their goals and turning in work on time and are accessible when needed. It's really all about communication. Even if I have errands to run or a virtual appointment I just let my boss know and update my status accordingly.

22. Balanced165836August 12,2024 at 1:06PM UTC

    Agreed! Even on days I WFH (I'm hybrid), I still sent my youngest to daycare. People who WFH with young kids at home are doing everyone who WFH a bad name, there is just no way you're getting as much work done.

23. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:45PM UTC

    That's not even true. I've WFH for 13 years now and had a kiddo at home for 6 of those. I still got more work done, you know why? Because I worked before she woke up for the day, I worked while she was napping or playing on her own, and I worked in the evenings and at night when my husband was home. I found a way to make it all work together. I also sent her to daycare if I had a meetings during work hours, but the nature of my job is that I don't have many meetings. Please don't disparage other people just because it doesn't work for your situation.

24. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

    One can always do those things after work hours.

25. Penny PunAugust 12,2024 at 3:41PM UTC

    Agree. And in my worst experience, there is not only  belief that WFH is a way to work part-time while getting full-time pay, but that the company was expecting basically twice the work, with one single salary. The belief was that since you're WFH (no chit-chat, break, no going out to lunch, etc.), when I did work for less than 8 hours (I definitely logged in longer than that, but not every minute of this is active working), they got on my case. So, basically they were expecting 8 full hours of active work, when in an in-person setting, most people only spend 3-4 hours actively working, with breaks, lunch and walks

26. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 6:50PM UTC

    Who the hell only works 3-4 hours of an 8 hour work day???

27. Penny PunAugust 13,2024 at 5:02PM UTC

    https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/clinging-to-an-8-hour-workday-research-suggests-5-hours-is-better/

    I can't find the exact article right now but this is similar, in terms of how much actual work a person is capable in an office. Note that this is only applicable to "white-collar" work when your job is mostly emails and meetings. If you account for lunch times and breaks, it's very likely most time in the 8 hours are spent on waiting for the next email or meeting, or worse busy work. That is also why I stressed, I logged in for more than 8 hours a day--I made myself available (more than I should have), however, some time you just can't actually work when you are WAITING

28. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 7:23PM UTC

    Thank you! This should all be common sense but that seems to be very rare right now,

29. AnonymousAugust 13,2024 at 1:49AM UTC

    I worked remote mid to late 2000’s before it was the happening thing. I am now hybrid since 2020 but get way more done working remotely than in the office. Constant interruptions, chit chat, distracts me. Do I throw laundry in, of course! Do I take breaks to clean, you betcha. But my work gets done and I have output to prove it, but and it’s a big but, if you’re gonna go to the store, use your lunch hour, it’s allowed so use it to take a walk, clean, make personal phone calls. Discipline is key. Grateful I get to do this.

30. AnonymousAugust 13,2024 at 12:51PM UTC

    I couldn’t agree more. With WFH, we still need to be present and productive. I do some chores here and there, but anytime I get a call or a meeting short notice, I’m available. My productivity is never questioned because I do all of my work on time and my boss and I communicate often so if I need to adjust for any reason, I let them know.

31. Lynn KleinAugust 13,2024 at 3:04PM UTC

    Thank you!

32. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 1:50AM UTC

    I don't see remote as working PT in a FT job. I think it's a win-win situation for both parties.

    They save on electricity and wifi, wear and tear on their office furniture, non-use of their coffee machine, etc., and I save on commuting time and costs, clothes, etc.

    I start work 5 minutes after rolling out of bed while the coffee is brewing. I work in my pajamas and take a mid-morning break to run downstairs to the gym and take a shower. I consider that unpaid break.

    What I don't consider unpaid break is things like throwing in a load of laundry, going down to get the mail, and other tiny tasks that give me a breather, allowing me to come back refreshed and more effective.

    This is hardly abusive, especially considering that onsite in my job it was common for people to take a half hour for a Starbucks run, and back when people smoked, an outside smoke break for twenty minutes several times a day.

33. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 2:09AM UTC

    lol, brilliant.

34. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:15PM UTC

    I've not seen any of these posts where people want to work PT and that's why they want to work from home. I think maybe you're misrepresenting what many people want.

    I think of my days in the office. I was often disturbed by people who wanted to chit-chat, often had longer conversations when running to the bathroom or to grab coffee. Now those little breaks are replaced with things that I can around the house. Instead of a conversation when getting coffee, I can toss in some laundry. Instead of being stopped in the hallway or someone dropping by my desk, I can wash a couple dishes. During meetings I can pick things up around the house (bluetooth headsets are handy) while still being present and included at the meeting (in fact, more present than in person at the office due to hearing loss issues).

    And I don't have to deal with the commute. I can take my lunch break and chill in my recliner and read a book. I think many of us get MORE work done than we did before and have a far better work/life balance to boot.

    Sometimes I really think these posts are just the angry rants of someone who got dragged back to the office.

35. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:21PM UTC

    But can they actually reach you? Like if they needed you for something, can they get you? I admit to surfing the internet or doing some other things while working but only if my work is done outside of monitoring a queue. I'm always able to be reached in a moment's notice so even if things are quiet for the moment, I'm at my computer ready to go.

36. RosemaryAugust 14,2024 at 12:24PM UTC

    The people who are still afraid of remote work are those who have very little experience with it, micromanagers, and older white men who miss the hierarchy of a physical office.

    You will always have employees who are unproductive for whatever reason, it’s not about their desk not being in a cubicle.

37. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:28PM UTC

    Customer service is definitely lacking since so many people are wfh. I wfh on a hybrid schedule, but definitely am more productive at home without all of the interruptions in the office and I take customer service very serious. Everyone is not cut out to wfh.

38. Michelle StewartAugust 14,2024 at 4:55PM UTC

    This...my brother was offered the ability to work from home and he turned it down super fast. He NEEDS to be around people and to get out. I, however, love working form home. We have Teams to connect with our team and metrics are kept the same way they would be if we were in the office. On 98% of the days, I'm more productive than if I were in the office. Those 2% are generally when I'm working sick because I'm at home, so I might as well work when I should just take the sick day.

39. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 6:17PM UTC

    The business I work for basically gave us the choice to stay home, be hybrid or work at the office. Some people LOVE being in the office and hated being sent home in 2020. Some of us went home and realized how much more productive we are. I'm thankful I work for a company that understands we all work in different ways.

40. Wendy P.August 14,2024 at 12:32PM UTC

    I think one of the more significant objections that companies have to WFH is that they dont know how to measure productivity if they cant physically 'see' their employees. Which is a false confidence because employees sitting in a cubicle can still be unproductive. It's the 'butts in seats' mentality so to speak. The reality is the large majority of WFH workers are in fact more productive and have happier work/life balance - this is what corporate America should want!

41. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:15PM UTC

    100% THIS!! How many of us have dealt with slacking coworkers when IN the office? I worked in a call center for 12 years and one person was constantly slacking. Letting others answer first, playing on her phone, surfing the internet, chatting with people, taking long breaks.

    I get so tired of the "WFH means slacking!" mentality. People are going to slack IN the office in different ways. I get my work done and I'm so much better for being home.

42. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 12:51PM UTC

    Why worry about it?

43. Cynthia Armistead NewmanAugust 14,2024 at 1:25PM UTC

    Because many people who want to WFH and who are more productive that way are being ordered back to the office due to those who take unfair advantage.

44. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:11PM UTC

    Or the perception that people are taking advantage. Plenty of people find ways to do little work IN the office as well. I worked with one person in a 3-person call center team who always ignored the phone unless we were already on ours, who texted and messed around on internet sites. She was up front so could see the boss coming and so quickly switched to pretending to work. The idea that WFH = NOW people are not working hard is ridiculous. There are always people who do little work and the rest of us that pick up the slack. They're just finding something to blame it on now.

45. Cynthia Armistead NewmanAugust 15,2024 at 10:07AM UTC

    True, but bosses like this "reason" to order us back into the office. And with those offices sitting there mostly empty but still costing them money, they need any excuse to fill them. They have leases they're committed to and property they own, too.

46. Anjonette HAugust 15,2024 at 2:20PM UTC

    It’s wild how it all ties back to the assets of the haves, and the leveraging of the have nots.

47. Anjonette HAugust 15,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

    They’re just finding something to blame it on now. Exactly. In the office, the level of low productivity is astounding. No one bats an eye at the down time under the fluorescent lights. This is about control sadly.

48. Rose BushAugust 14,2024 at 1:09PM UTC

    Must be nice to save money and do laundry. Enjoy

    (to bad the rest are ruining it for ya)

49. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:10PM UTC

    Someone sounds jealous. I just get to toss my laundry in the dryer instead of dealing with watercooler chat. I actually spend LESS time to run downstairs, toss stuff in the dryer and come back (often with my bluetooth headsets on so if someone calls me I can still answer) than I did with idle chitchat in the office.

50. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 12:33PM UTC

    Saying “must be nice” is rude.

51. TracyAugust 14,2024 at 1:22PM UTC

    100% agree with this! People have become clouded on what WFH means: it means you work your regular, FT job from home-no commute time and yes no need to follow a real dress code. But it doesn’t mean you work less or not as hard. It’s a frustrating phenomenon for sure!

52. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 6:11PM UTC

    Most people have not become clouded. Instead what we're seeing is management pointing to one person who was not doing their work and saying "SEE! LOOK AT TOM! HE IS NOT WORKING!! WORK FROM HOME IS BAD!!" Yet no one did that when Tom was playing games on his phone at work.

53. KellyW43August 14,2024 at 1:42PM UTC

    Exactly! You may do even more when you work from home. I know yesterday on my break and lunch, I cleaned my kitchen and put a load of laundry in.

    I work 8 hours a day and that didn't change when I was sent home to work.

54. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 2:44PM UTC

    Looking at the comments I believe several misunderstood what the post was saying. I have worked from home 10 yrs now and I'm very productive, however I have coworkers who are not and their results show that they are not working a full day and in some cases a partial day. The work ethic is just not there for those individuals. WFH has a lot of great advantages, however some employees do take advantage of not having to be in the office so the boss can see you. So I agree with the post.

55. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 2:53PM UTC

    But that can be just as true that colleagues in the office aren't pulling their weight either. Your work ethnic doesn't disappear when you walk out the office.

56. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:08PM UTC

    I've worked at my company for 20 years now, 16 of which were in the office. TRUST ME...many people do not pull their weight in the office either. They're on their phones, they're taking frequent smoke and bathroom breaks, they're chatting with other coworkers. This idea that WFH has created a bunch of people who have no work ethic is just WRONG. People either have it or not.

57. Leader345236August 14,2024 at 3:05PM UTC

    Tossing a load of laundry in the wash instead of chit chat breaks IS working less time.

    I'm not saying that because I'm against either laundry or chit chat breaks.

    The inability to repurpose the natural ebbs and flows of work is essentially an emotional labor aspect of work itself.

58. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:07PM UTC

    I don't think you're quite understanding what they're saying. They're saying that when in the office, you often end up talking to people about non-work related things. At home, you don't do that. So you might take a couple minutes to toss the laundry in the dryer. They're not working less. The microbreaks (which studies have shown people NEED) just look different.

59. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 9:52PM UTC

    So what you’re really saying is, you don’t care if employees are taking non work-related chit chat breaks as long as they’re in the office, but you would care if they throw in a load of laundry if they’re at home?

    That’s ridiculous - when I’m in the office, I’m constantly distracted by loud conversations about the latest reality TV show on Netflix or what someone did with their kids over the weekend or what people have planned after work, none of which I am part of yet distracts me from my work at my desk. Would you then suggest that I find a quiet place so that I can work? If so, how is that different from me working from home? The fact that you can’t control whether I throw in a load of laundry or not? Those in office distractions happen on a daily, but not everyone is likely to do a load of laundry every day.

    It seems more and more glaring that leaders who want to fill seats are those who want to feel better about getting their money’s worth (aka hold their employees for 40+ hours) as opposed to actual productivity.

60. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 3:12PM UTC

    I experienced this in the office (didn't quit but it sure did suck) for YEARS before going home. Companies are just trying to lay the blame on WFH instead of seeing the real issues.

61. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 4:06PM UTC

    I have worked remote since 2006. The vast majority of the company was remote and spread across the country before COVID hit. I work for a family friendly family owned company. You will hear babies, toddlers and kids on our meetings from time to time. Nobody bats an eye. My children have been greeted by name when they made noise while I was talking in a meeting. It is the company culture that as long as you can get your work done, it's OK. But to be successful, you have to be able to focus & have discipline. You have to meet your goals/boss' expectations.

62. ShannonGAugust 14,2024 at 4:23PM UTC

    I've been working remote for the last 3+ years and my experience is that employers expect even more work for the time. So I can't imagine trying to work a second job.

63. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 8:59PM UTC

    WFH does enable me to do some of my second job. My second job is a photography based thing and often I need to run long processes on multiple photos that can be running for an hour or more. Being at home means I can set one long process going (takes about 30 seconds to press a button) and let it go while I'm working. I get that part done faster while not actually DOING anything. But I couldn't do it at an office as I wouldn't have my other laptop there.

    I NEED to get up and stretch (mouse shoulder!) and so the quick stretch and walk for 2 minutes to keep my from getting worse means I can hit that button and then ignore it for the next two hours while I work.

64. Marian DavidsonAugust 14,2024 at 5:41PM UTC

    I have been WFH since 2017, and it came in handy when Covid hit. I was able to advise others on best practices to be productive and efficient during the work day.

    I think it depends upon your industry and what the daily work flow looks like

    Overall- I put in MORE productive hours remotely than I ever did in an office. In-office, there are so many distractions and "down" time. I have to remember to take a short break now and then, and it is difficult to even get a lunch break in my day.

    -I make sure that I am dressed professionally (hair, make-up, professional blouse/blazer/scarf/jewelry) each day and do video calls as much as possible. I also load our chat box features onto my phone so I am always "pinged" if I step away from my desk, even momentarily.

    Advantage- I find that with no long commutes, I am working immediately at the start of the daily schedule, without being stressed or late for work. I take almost no sick days, because I won't spread germs at work, and the physical taxing of commuting while ill is what causes sick days! If I have a doctor or dental appointment, it take much less time because my providers are close-to-home, so rarely need to take more than a long-lunch-hour to take care of healthcare.

    However- I agree that there are some people who abuse the system and are not filling their day with work. That makes everyone working remotely look bad!

65. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 6:09PM UTC

    "That makes everyone working remotely look bad!"

    Which is the attitude we need to get away from. Does the people working in the office who slack off (and we all know those people) make everyone else in an office look bad? Of course not. So why do we see one person slacking off and say "SEE! PEOPLE CAN SLACK OFF AT HOME!" It's ridiculous and not helpful at all when that narrative keeps getting pushed.

66. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 6:13PM UTC

    YES. And what bothers me is they blame it on WFH. When it's a problem across the board in general. There are always lazy people who don't want to do their job. Nothing has changed. It's just that managers have a scapegoat now. I am far more productive at home.

67. Becky HarborthAugust 14,2024 at 6:28PM UTC

    I definitely work more remotely. I’ve been working remotely for five years and my productivity is better WFH than in office with all the distractions. We rarely have video meetings and I am less distracted at home than on site. Who has that kind of time to have a second job. I remember that a survey went out pre-pandemic to voice opinions on WFH. One question was why you want to work remotely. Several employees did put that they could spend time with their children. No! Just no! Wrong answer! Needless to say, that organization didn’t allow for us to WFH.

68. AnonymousAugust 14,2024 at 8:57PM UTC

    To be fair, it's just sometimes nice to be around children/spouses/pets more. And it also means people can spend more time with their loved ones because they don't have commutes. I see NOTHING wrong with working if others are around if you can do both. I work while tossing balls for my dogs. I get to take my 15 minute breaks and play with the dogs. I get to talk to my spouse throughout the day (no more than I talked to coworkers!).

69. shelleyAugust 14,2024 at 8:59PM UTC

    A small rant - I work with many people who WFH and the abuse is rampant, even one who supposedly had their remote agreement dissolved but who still hasn't come back because it's summer and they have 2 small children at home. Maybe too much info but it does affect my and others work. I occasionally WFH and it has gone fine. Other people at my company use it as an excuse do other things: run errands, etc. During lockdown in 2020 I worked with someone who ran around all day but had skype activated on their phone and thought that was good enough. It's trackable but nobody seems to care. I try not to but it can be hard to swallow sometimes.

70. SuzanneAugust 14,2024 at 11:01PM UTC

    I work hybrid. I am at least 20% more productive when working from home vs the office. Some reasons are that I'm an introvert, I benefit from a quiet space, I work longer hours because I don't have to commute yet salaried so no additional compensation. I feel more valued because I am trusted to work from home and I am more committed to my companies success because of this perk.

71. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 12:34PM UTC

    Agreed, Iam fully remote and work full time I can’t just get up and leave and go do other stuff I can throw a load of laundry in or make a quick sandwich but it’s not a part time job that’s for sure I am accountable for my time

72. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

    I've been fully remote since 2014, and it's a great setup for me. That being said, I am disciplined enough to do it. I get up at a regular time, eat breakfast, have coffee, and take care of the dogs before showering and dressing. I start work at a regular time and maintain a core regular schedule with additions/changes as they arise. I have a dedicated workspace with our spare bedroom as my office. I take breaks here and there to let the dogs in or out, and I take a midday break for lunch and/or running quick errands. My consulting clients are happy because I focus on their work and present them with high quality work.

    Remote work is not for everybody, but if you understand what is involved to make it successful, you'll do well. If not, you'll crash and burn sooner or later.

73. Anjonette HAugust 15,2024 at 2:04PM UTC

    Don’t abuse the benefits! Good point. Also makes me think: Oh please. A way to do less and get more? Sounds like a billionaire. None of us who want and need remote work think that way. We have to prove ourselves with results, and work product, and IP and deliverables. Save the risky commute, save the public no lid surprise flush toilet. Don’t be surprised the toxic ruler elite big boss wants to make things as uncomfortable and controlled as possible. “Know your place, stay in your lane”. No. How about I skip the lanes all together.

74. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 2:38PM UTC

    It's standard for our office to be hybrid. Usually 2 days WFH but I'm 3 days at the moment so I can attend medical appointments. I make up for the time I lose at appointments by working later (plus extra sometimes). If I wasn't able to go to these appointments I'd be too sick to work at all. So I'm thankful my boss has been understanding and has given me that flexibility.

75. Priya SridharAugust 15,2024 at 3:13PM UTC

    Isn’t this making a lot of assumptions? Insisting on remote work seems to happen because job posts are posted under Remote but then specify it is hybrid or will eventually transition. Such listings are misleading and detrimental to both the company and a job seekers, so setting those boundaries is important.

76. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 6:33PM UTC

    Thanks! You're exactly right---it's hard not to work straight through for hours on end. I had to actually set an alarm early on to take breaks and at least walk around a bit. It's second nature now. The key is having a workable framework to get the work done. It takes practice!

77. kitty holmquistAugust 15,2024 at 8:13PM UTC

    Actually, I've been remote since 2010. I worked first 40 or more hours a week. I had set hours at first. Now I switched to 20 hours a week as an Executive Assistant. I work in a different state and my boss travels frequently. I actually am more on call but he always understands if I have plans too. I probably work more than 20 during our busy times which I don't mind in the winter months. Summer I prefer to keep around 20 or less as it's our nice weather. I would never work hybrid or in the office again. It's not for people who can't manage their time. Often now, I work weekends or evenings but it is good to clarify right from the start.

78. AnonymousAugust 16,2024 at 12:15PM UTC

    My job has always been remote and I work far more hours than I would if I had to drive to an office with a set workday. First, there's getting ready & drive time. Second, there's house things like feeding pets or doing laundry that would have to be done after hours, instead of while I'm talking to someone on the phone (multi-tasking!). The hardest thing about remote work for me IS setting boundaries. I work for a non-profit that is operational 24/7 (with a lot of volunteer help and a small staff) so I get calls and things I need to handle well beyond the standard 9-5.

79. AnonymousAugust 16,2024 at 1:07PM UTC

    Once I went remote, I found myself working more than in the office, simply because I no longer had to deal with toxic managers, open-office conversations, distractions, drama, pointless meetings… I get so much done. Most importantly - it’s quiet. Peaceful. I am able to actually do the work.

    I got diagnosed as autistic not long ago. This explains a lot as to why my health suffered when I worked in office; I was literally almost going insane from the sensory overload every day.

80. Cherish OravecAugust 16,2024 at 1:15PM UTC

    %100 this, another hard part is some of us are out here trying to be boss and all the starting positions to get to a boss position are all onsite 300 miles away or more. the flexibility so much to even hold a position is hard, because some people are tied down by split custody of children and couldn't fathom even getting a job with good enough pay with being able to move whole states. So some have to choose between quality of life and love ones.

81. AnonymousAugust 16,2024 at 5:09PM UTC

    Remote work is a godsend for disabled people but okay /eyeroll

82. AnonymousAugust 19,2024 at 7:33PM UTC

    I'm curious where you got the idea that this was referencing people who need remote work to manage a disability. Or maybe I misunderstood the "eyeroll" comment?

83. Raven WildAugust 16,2024 at 9:42PM UTC

    WHAT does it take to get hired at a remote job? I really need to get one

84. Cynthia Armistead NewmanAugust 17,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

    That depends on the job in question. For most, you need a quiet environment, excellent communication skills, a solid Internet connection, and whatever technical skills are required. Experience in the job and industry will also help. If you've proven in the past that you can do the job in question, you're a better candidate than anyone who hasn't done so.

    Too many people think that remote work will allow them to care for their children while working. Most good companies make it clear up front that doing so is unacceptable. Unattended children are a distraction, and employers can't afford that. I don't know how legal it is, but I've heard of employers that require proof of childcare for people who have young children.