Onsite vs Offsite

Most "fulltime onsite work" is fraught with distractions; cubicle environments (which have no doors) subject workers to ringing telephones, co-worker conversations, speaker phones, and general ambient "noise". Most working conditions range from barely adequate to sub-optimal to abysmal for programming or writing: poor lighting, poor air-conditioning, poor workspace setup, minimal computer screen "real-estate". Add to that the wasted time, expense, and potential hazards of a commute on our local streets and freeways, and onsite is not a good place for "real" work to be done.

In contrast, when I telecommute I have a large private office, a large desk at typing height (and a second desk for paperwork), a full suite of licensed productivity applications at my disposal, access to Mac OS (9 and X), FreeBSD, and Windows (98 and 2000). I also have high-quality lighting, proper temperature control, a 24x7 high-speed Internet connection, three 1280x1024 screens, and few distractions (no co-workers, no children, no ringing phones, indeed, very little noise other than my keyboard).

I have a proven record of working independently, beginning with my employment at Apple Computer in 1986 — Apple assumes its engineers can work independently. In fact, everyone in Apple's Developer Technical Publications group is expected to work offsite two days a week.

I personally began telecommuting at least one day a week in 1993. From June, 2000 to May 2001 I telecommuted 100% when I worked for a company based in Massachusetts.

From December 2004 to May 2005 I telecommuted every afternoon to my job as a documentation specialist for a local company. Beginning in May, 2005, I telecommuted full time for that company, going into the headquarters office for meetings, as necessary.

Telecommuting even one or two days a week greatly increases my productivity (and therefore my value to the client). I am near enough to most jobs in the 650 area code (and northern reaches of 408) to be able to drive in readily to meetings at less than an hour's notice. In addition, if I can telecommute 5 days a week, I can save my employer money and facilities (cubicle, telephone, computer, etc.) that can be spent instead on someone else.

84 Percent of Employees Say Telecommuting Option Is Important When Looking For a New Job

According to a July 2003 survey by TrueCareers (an online job board and division of Sallie Mae!), eighty-four percent of survey respondents say the ability to work from home a few days a week or full time is important when looking for a new job. The survey also found that 80 percent believe that telecommuting would make them more productive in their current jobs. More than 200 people responded to the survey.
"It is clear that the ability to work from home is a practice that employers should continue when trying to retain employees, attract new employees and increase productivity."
[c.f. newsalert.com article posted August 14, 2003]

For additional articles and references regarding telework and workplace stress issues, click here