Over the last several years, a great deal of press has focussed on the advantages and limitations of telecommuting—that is, performing office work while at home. This approach has proven very successful for jobs whose tasks, responsibilities, and expected outcomes are well defined. For example, telemarketers, customer-service representatives, and sales-account managers have all been able to perform their jobs outside of the traditional office environment.
This method has proven less successful, however, for professionals with highly varied and not as well de-fined tasks. Managers and marketing professionals, for instance, have typically had less success in telecommuting roles.
For engineers, it's easy to imagine working away from the office. The cost and availability of the technologies that are commonly used by engineers have meant that many have full-fledged design computers and even labs at home. These home facilities are often more powerful and capable than those available in the office. At home, engineers frequently have a quiet environment that's conducive to concentration and creativity, something not always possible in a hectic office.
Additionally, communications technologies have made high-speed Internet connections, multiple telephone lines, fax machines, and other common office technologies easily affordable. In some types of jobs, the use of modern technology makes it hard to tell whether you're in the office or at home.
Furthermore, in most of the big-technology centers of employment, commuting to and from work has become increasingly difficult and frustrating. A drive that takes thirty minutes in the middle of the day is a two-hour nightmare during the critical morning and evening commuting hours in the likes of Silicon Valley, Boston, or Seattle. Plus, due to the steep cost of housing, you often have to live far away from your job to afford reasonable accommodations. It's not uncommon for engineers to spend two or three hours on the highway each day. This time could otherwise be spent working productively or engaging in personal activities.
Yet, the so-called telecommuting revolution seems to have fizzled lately. While the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 8 million people telecommute at least part time, the growth in the number of telecommuters has slowed substantially. This is partly because employers are reluctant to take on the additional burden of accommodating and managing remote employees. But another reason is the growing reluctance of workers to remove themselves from the workflow and professional interaction that a busy office provides.
If you're considering telecommuting, it's critical to assess your personal and career goals, your company's policies and attitudes, and your home work environment before embarking down this road. All of these factors can contribute to the success of your efforts. This will help you to determine what type of tele-commuting you would like, and how you will balance your professional and personal responsibilities.
The first step to take in assessing these goals is to carefully examine the reasons why you want to telecommute. No single reason will make you a success or failure, but understanding your reasons will help you prepare physically and mentally for remote work. Some telecommute to better handle family responsibilities, while others enjoy the distance separating them from their employer's office. You may also prefer the quiet of your home over the noise and constant interaction at the office. You should have a good idea of what benefits you're looking for before approaching your manager.
Upon engaging in a telecommuting agreement with your employer, expect further advancement with that company to be difficult to come by, if it's available at all. That might not be the company's stated policy, but your lack of personal interaction with your managers and colleagues means that you won't participate in many of the ad hoc activities that lead to career advancement.
This may not bother you if you're already established in your career, working as an architect or in a senior design position that not only pays well but is personally and professionally fulfilling. It could be damaging or personally dissatisfying, though, if you're younger or less experienced, and are trying hard to advance your career.
Also, it's best not to begin a new job at a new company in a telecommuting role. There are so many opportunities to misunderstand a new company's policies or culture, and these are only magnified when you're not in the office to observe established norms. If you accept a job across the country but don't want to move, consider a short-term apartment or other housing arrangement near your place of employment for three to six months so you can acclimate yourself before working more regularly out of your home.
Perhaps the best way to telecommute is part time. For example, spend two days a week in the office and three at home. Of course, this assumes that you're close enough to your office to make that feasible. I know of professionals who live up to a hundred miles away from their office and this works for them. It lets them meet with their colleagues face-to-face on a regular basis, while also receiving many of the benefits of telecommuting. You also keep open the possibility of future advancement within the company.