I would think more companies will leverage the telecommuting option where they can as reducing employee’s from getting sick can increase employee productivity and efficiency which in turns increases company revenue. Many companies still are slow to adopt or take advantage of telecommuting plans and policies and the more companies that jump on the bandwagon the more we will see this become prevalent and a key asset in searching for jobs.

I for one appreciate the telecommuting that is available to me and utilize it to be as productive and efficient as possible, I am not one to slouch and often work nine or ten hour business days to keep on top of my busy schedule. This allows me to work the extra time that I would normally be spending on the road driving, so I can basically use the same amount of time and get more hours of work put in by telecommuting.

Even while I am sick, though I have just a cold so it is not so bad to work, but at least I don’t have to drive into the office and worry about getting everyone else sick in the process.

-Justin Germino

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• Problem #1 – Office Socializing

You lose the ability to socialize and get face time with your peers when you permanently telecommute.  Even though I am on conference calls all day long with the people I work with.   The face time I get once a month or so is very important.  Even break room gossiping and idle chit chat is important for building work relationships, people need to see your mannerisms, get your opinions and see your presence once in a while.  Fortunately being in IT I don’t work directly in person with customers, so I don’t have to worry about that aspect but it is nice to be able to talk to coworkers in person every so often.  I mean I haven’t been in in so long when I do go in people are startled at how different I look each time I go in.

• Problem #2 – Young Children Don’t Understand

My two year old doesn’t understand daddy has to go upstairs and close the door to his office and work now.  He just thinks Daddy won’t play with me and is ignoring me.  He will sit outside my door and pound on it while I am on conference calls sometimes.  My oldest was the same way when he was his age, but now that he is 5 years old knows that Daddy works in his home office during the weekdays.  The problem is my littlest will calm down after 5 or 10 minutes, then 2 hours later when I have to run downstairs to get a drink he is so excited to see me, if I play with him, he just cries when I leave to go back upstairs.  If I ignore him, he cries that I ignored him.  It is a gift and a curse having your little ones so close to you when you work, in the end though they appreciate that you are there more.  It is just hard on them when they are little and getting used to it.

• Problem #3 – Partner See’s Too Much Of You

If you have a significant other then pay close attention to this one, especially if your partner doesn’t work or works different hours than you so is home at the same time you are home working.  Your partner and you become so dependent and used to “seeing” each other all day long on breaks, or they can just stroll into your office to see you, bring you a drink, chit chat about anything.  You get over used to seeing each other and you lose that “I haven’t seen you all day” excitement that people get when coming home after working all day away from each other.  I have seen this cause difficulties in my home life over the past 3 years since I have been telecommuting full time.  To help keep this at bay try keeping a closed door policy and minimize the times you leave your office to go down and chit chat with your partner.  Though don’t be rude, mean or distant on purpose.  I still am trying to figure out ways to minimize this one more, but the benefits of having the time around the children and saving the gas costs from driving are extremely beneficial.

• In Summary

If you have a job where you telecommute a lot or you are thinking of getting a job where you will spend a majority of your time telecommuting, make sure you read the above issues that can happen.  There are more but these were the big three for me.

-Justin Germino

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Ergonomics can help reduce your fatigue, body stress and keep you more focused, it is especially important for people who have back and neck problems and have to see a Chiropractor often.

Make sure your computer desks are at a proper height, not too low, and not too high. You arms when resting on the desks should be just below shoulder level, about level with your upper chest.

Make sure your monitor is positioned so you are slightly looking straight ahead and up. Never have your head tilted down to look into your monitor, this is not proper position for your neck. You have to have the slight arch in your neck head slightly tilted up but not very much. Use a monitor stand, or if you have an LCD monitor most of them will adjust.

Make sure your chair is comfortable and sturdy, the chair is the most important. Don’t get a cheap foam chair, mine is completely mesh back and bottom to allow air flow and prevent discomfort from your body heat building up in your lower back and rump for too long.

Take breaks often, 5-10 minutes every hour or two, walk around to get a drink, or just walk to pump some blood. If you work from home as I do, I often will take a break and just do pushups or crunches just to burn some energy from sitting the last few hours.

-Justin Germino

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