Getting Paid to Commute? (telecommuting is a big step away from oil...and we can do it!)

11Alive.com ^ | 4/27/2006 | Jaye Watson

[Dark Skies]

This isn't the best article around, but it is the most recent. Not everyone can telecommute, but many that can do not...at least not yet. Why not use our technological advantage to reduce our dependence on oil.

I have telecommuted for years...and it works fine for me.

I might be wrong but the current rise in oil prices might be just what the U.S. needs to make the transition.

Comments please.

[hispanarepublicana]

If I telecommuted, I'd never get out of my pajamas or comb my hair. Mr. HR would not be happy.

[walford]

The website putting carpoolers together is a good idea, there's been one in the DC area for several years now.

Insofar as telecommuting is concerned, there are so many scammers out there exploiting that so many want to work from home that if you put any sort of phrase like that into a search engine, you'll find thousands of ways to waste money 'investing' in one of these charades and never make a dime.

[King Moonracer]

I agree. I could telecommute every day, but management wants to see the warm body. What even more stupid is my boss is 4 states away.

[dawn53]

I telecommute, and I like it. I'm an early riser, so I've put in 4 hours by 9 AM. Then the other 3 or 4 hours, I work in increments throughout the day. My company doesn't care, as long as I get my work done.

[Paleo Conservative]

Gov. Sonny Perdue just signed a bill that gives tax cuts to companies that allow employs to telecommute.

If $72 oil isn't enough incentive, I can't understand why a tax cut would make that much of a difference.

[Dark Skies]

I could telecommute every day, but management wants to see the warm body.

I have a cousin who is a lab tech. She works a straight 8 every day with lunch and coffee breaks. Her warm body is in front of a web cam for the whole day except for breaks. And she is paid top dollar and lives way out at the outer edge of suburban Atlanta.

She drives maybe 10 miles a week.

[Dark Skies]

Good for you! Work will soon be evaluated on the basis of performance instead of hours...a paradigm shift in output eval IMHO.

[don-o]

In my shop, a key person had to relocate because of her husband's tranfer. We got her set up to do her work from her new home.

She is productive.

Down side - our work group misses her personality. It ain't the same.

[Dark Skies]

Down side - our work group misses her personality. It ain't the same.

Tell her to join FR and we can all enjoy her personality.

[dljordan]

"I have telecommuted for years...and it works fine for me."

My wife complains occasionally about me pounding away at the keyboard all day in my camo pajamas. I have to go to the store or something everyday so I won't be a total hermit.

[tfecw]

Someone said something interesting to me when i first signed up at FR. It was along the lines of

"If you can telecommute from home, someone can telecommute from India"

;) I wouldn't be overly worried about that, but it is def a concern. I'm more concerned about "oh tfecw has home access, he shouldn't have a problem logging in on Sat. and doing X", or verifying a deployment at 3am friday night, etc

[dljordan]

"Down side - our work group misses her personality. It ain't the same."

My entire group works from home now. I miss seeing the people a lot and it's harder to get questions answered but it's nice to be home where I can keep an eye on things. Trouble is I tend to spend too much time in front of the terminal.

[Dark Skies]

I telecommute and my gas bill is about $20.00 per month. Before gas went up, I spent maybe 18.00 per month...I combine my trips now.

When I commuted for real, my gas bill was ridiculous and wear and tear on my car wasn't exactly a dream come true.

[martin_fierro]

Mrs. Fierro has a gig now where she telecommutes.

As long as she gets in 8 hours during a 24-hour period, she's golden.

We just set up a laptop today so she can work wirelessly from the backyard/garden.

[Dark Skies]

I telecommute but I also spend time on the phone. The work is the work...but the relationship is on the phone.

I don't think it is the same for India.

In a small town down the road, there is a lawyer (who is also an MD...top schools)...she provides a legal/consultative service to lawyers and docs. She goes to the city maybe two or three times a month. I wouldn't be so bold as to imagine her fee schedule. You can imagine as well as can I.

[Dark Skies]

We just set up a laptop today so she can work wirelessly from the backyard/garden.

Sounds rough...send in the union organizers!

[goodnesswins]

I wonder what UNIONS will think of this???

[Ronaldus Magnus]

The federal government is asking all businesses to put plans together so that their workers can telecommute in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Pandemic Influenza Planning: A Guide for Businesses and Families

[Dark Skies]

Probably the same thing the teacher's union thinks of home schooling.