I have been reading many articles and watching about teleworking for a few years. In many branches, this is the most significant trend. For example, many programmers, other IT specialists or any freelancers can merge work and travel around the world.
You can see a video in YouTube, such an example polish guy makes films about his experiences in foreign countries, often exotics like Bolwia - "programista na wakacjach".
They need only a computer and short fast Internet.
Personally, I sometimes work at home. However, I cannot entirely focus on my tasks. I often check my fridge or read funny articles on the web. I am completely nonproductive. Eating breakfast at noon or spending all day wearing pyjamas. It is not normal ;)
On the other hand a few days ago I read an article about ethical practices in doing remote business. Do you know companies without any offices? I know Nozbe - It is the company in IT sector. They develop the application for tasks management.
Please watch the short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6bnZ_nqO80.
What do you think about this idea? Can you work at home and other places outside your office?
Personally, I see a few advantages and good practices inspired by the #noOffice stream.
Firstly, I love asynchronous work. I prepare my daily tasks every morning, and I execute them during my working hours. I hate long meetings in corporations. I think that a quick overview via chat or a few minutes of discussion can generally resolve a lot of unnecessary conversations. They prepare tasks in our issues tracking. Nevermind if I solve this issue at night or during the day.
The worst is a situation when I am interrupted by other employees interrupt my job.
I split my working hours into a few parts. I find time for a few projects, documentation, making coffee at a specific time. I prefer harmony ;)
Furthermore, I think that sharing knowledge is the most critical tasks in many professions. Currently, In my team, every person should prepare the documentation and instructions (step by step) how to resolve hard cases in our software (accidents, crash and other unforeseen situations). We can rely on all members of the team, what gives us a freedom to choose, e.g. holidays when we want, not being scared that the project can go wrong because rest of team have knowledge and skills for business maintenance without few persons.
Did you hear about "Remote only manifesto"? It is open source documentation with the list of good practices how to develop a company with remote employees. I think many of these recommendations are helpful in employment. Please read https://www.remoteonly.org.
Do you agree with this document? Which ideas do you like?
Sources:
https://sliwinski.com/nooffice/
https://www.remoteonly.org/
I think it could be real that some day we will work remotely. Nowadays it’s hard to imagine how to work in that way when you are working for example as a civil engineer but in hundred years when we will be surrounded by robots it will be possible. Today, remotely working is for people who are well organized but it change. With every generation it’s more popular because it’s more comfortable. As you mentioned you can’t focus on your work but I like to work from home. But there is one problem, I can’t work remotely when I want to so I work from home when I’m feel that I’m going to have a cold and I prefer not to go outside. I like to have option when I can do some thing and other not to. I like to feel I manage my time, not the company which I work for. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to be completely focused on your work but the same situations are in the offices. There is noise all around you, it’s so distracted.
ReplyDeleteI must confess i did not work from office this year at all so in my opinion it is totally possible. I can't say it's not difficult (the PJ thing you mentioned, or whole day breakfast) and one have to remember to go have a walk or meet with friends more often than when working from office to not forget how to socialize :)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of working remotely very much. I agree that it can be difficult for some people because the surrounding can be very distracting therefore it may be hard to focus on the job. Another serious disadvantage is not being able to communicate, and exchange knowledge with our colleagues the way many of us are used to.
ReplyDeleteI think a few years ago these were my main issues while working at home. Now I work remotely as often as I can, and I appreciate this possibility. I've worked out a kind of a discipline for myself, so no wearing pajamas all day and no eating in front of a computer. Unfortunately, since I have a team that I have to manage, I can't let myself to not be at the office too often.
I noticed a while ago that in my case working at our company office is actually much more distracting and much less effective than working from home. I find the open spaces an awful way of using an office space. It's impossible to concentrate in them.
I don't know yet how I would feel if there was no office to go to and I would work at my apartment every day. After reading the "Remote only" document you mentioned I have a few reflections on the topic. In my opinion, an onboarding process has to be much more complicated and acclimatization has to take longer than usual. I know that would be the case for me. I also think that keeping an actual hierarchy in a company has to be difficult.
Nonetheless, having a job which lets me live and work anywhere in the world was always my dream. I would take it anytime with no hesitation.
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ReplyDeleteI have never heard of "Remote only manifesto" but I did work remotely for more than 6 months. Currently I am only taking one or two days per week to work from home. I really love this concept but it also have some drawbacks. It requires a lot of self-discipline. There is also no workplace social life which is a big lose. Even if you’re interacting with clients or co-workers virtually, it’s not the same as banter in the office or getting lunch together. Also when you are working on a complex system collaboration is essential so living in different time zones may be an issue. However I am still a big fan of remote work and it is one of the most important requirements for me when
ReplyDeleteconsidering a job offer.
Do you have special small office in your home ?
DeleteI never work remotely for full time and I don't think it would be a good idea for me. While several days per month sounds pleasurable, full time remote jobs would leave me disconnected from the project. Spending time with coworkers, talking about the project and working together on problems brings you some knowledge and commitment to project.
ReplyDeleteOn the other side when I started working in a team, I noticed that the more people in project the more problems, meetings, small-talks and coffee breaks there is, which reduces productivity.
I have never heard about "Remote only manifesto", could be useful if there are some advices for employees how to productively work from home.
I implemented a few ideas from the manifesto in my work, but in my work, no one work remote. I love async communication or short meeting.
DeleteI can definitely agree that working remotely is possible. I used to do that a few days a week in my previous job. I could focus more when working remotely. As you mentioned, less distractions. The boss needs to trust the team, not to just check if they are “working”. It is much easier to pretend that you are working at the office than at home. I can understand that it can be some issues of wanting to do other things at home. But in office it can be even more distractions, the worst one being someone asking you directly or useless meetings.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea from the YouTube, they don’t send emails but use their app to communicate. Working remotely has so many benefits but not everyone can focus at home alone.
I never sat in pyjamas or ate late breakfast. I always tried to treat it the same way as in the office.
Do you have problems with communication with other employees? Did you have to work from home? Did you have a choice between remote or standard work?
DeleteI agree completely. I myself try to develope my IT skills to a level which will allow me to work remotely in a future. It saves a lot of time and money for transport and not only. I like an idea of sitting in home and getting up when I want and saving time from unnecessary transport. I think that an employer also could pay me more as he/she haven't to pay for a place in office or another stuff for me. I sometimes imagine laying on a beach under an umbrella with drink in my hand and my laptop on my legs and working in such way :3 So I agree with you and this is one of my goals to get a remote job ^^.
ReplyDeleteWhat skills are you need for productivity remote working? Do you work as a programmer?
DeleteOf course, remote work is possible. Personally, I am more productive at home when I can focus only on work, no one from the crew doesn't bother me. The trust which the employer gives us is also very important, therefore it can't be disappointed. At the beginning of my job, I always sent reports
ReplyDeleteof my results to the employer, he was sure that I was working. Now I am at such a stage that the employer doesn't have to check, he knows that I am fulfilling his duties. However, working in a team has its advantages. You can relax with a conversation, it is always more fun. Maybe even more loosely than at work at home.
Do you have a lot of communications with other employees in standard working days? Do you use telephone, chat or mail?
DeleteSometimes I work remotely, but just as you, I can't focus on my work then. I think that the house is a place where I rest, invite friends and family. I do not want this place to remind me of my work as well.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, remote communication is much less effective. In the office you can always sit next to a friend and help him, or even program in pairs, or making code reviews.
Did in your work anyone work only as remote? Do you have any inspirations for improvement remote communications?
DeleteWhat do you think about this idea? Can you work at home and other places outside your office?
ReplyDeleteYes I can, and also sometimes I'm more productive than in the office. Most important in case of being effective when working remotely is a good preparation of your working space. It really matters.
Do you agree with this document? Which ideas do you like?
I never read that document, but it contains some useful informations and rules. The main example is decreasing pollution, some working ethics.
i think it's great idea. I have never worked remotely from home, but it sounds like something for me. I also hate meetings in work. Usually the useful contnet in meeting is like 5 min, while meeting last for an hour. Commuting to work is another thing that I don't like. It takes me a little bit over hour every day just to commute. It's just a waste of time!
ReplyDeleteProbably at first working remotely might be hard to get use to, but I'm sure I'd love to do it.