Re: telecommuting

Booth,

In a message dated 97-10-14 13:32:44 EDT, you write:

> I'd like to assemble a listing of positive reasons that AS/400 shops
>  should consider using telecommuting as one tool in their programming tool
>  kit.  Has anyone ideas on this subject they'd willingly share?

It's a little subjective, depending upon the particular situation, but here's
my experience with it:

1.  Lack of Interruption --  People tend to not bother you about the latest
sporting event, what they did this weekend, or ask that question that they
already know the answer to "just to be sure" when you're not in the office.

2.  Sick/Out of School Kids -- They usually are either sleeping or playing
(if sick or just out of school), so you can be away from the office without
losing work time.

3.  Saving the Environment/Auto Expense -- Not an "Environmentalist Whacko"
myself, but you not only cut down on gas, but employee automobile mileage
accumulation, insurance rates (average distance to work), and the risk that
the employee will be out due to a travel-related injury/repair.  Could even
be a point in salary negotiations!

4.  Office Space -- You don't need as much if some people work from home all
the time.  Even if you alternate schedules, you can incorporate "shared
offices", where one person uses an office one week, and the other the next.

5.  Resources -- Many employees will already have a PC with a modem at home.
 It's a _LOT_ cheaper to buy them one of the popular 5250 emulation packages
for home than it is to provide a terminal and printer at work.  Also, the
home printer has no other users to wait on!

6.  "Workaholic" Utilization -- A "workaholic" is more likely to go home and
work until Midnight or later than they are to stay at the office for the same
period and face a 30 minute or greater commute.

7.  24-7 Support  -- Employees required to provide this can provide faster,
and more amicable, support when they can do it from home.

I realize that some of this was a bit mercenary, but the truth is the truth.
 There are some negatives as well, but it doesn't sound like you want to hear
them :-D!

Regards,

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-Mail:  DAsmussen@AOL.COM

"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary."  --
Vidal Sassoon
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