3 ms·

Thanks for your input. I see that side of things too, though I am not entirely convinced of the implication that because I am an employee of a tech company, I

Thanks for your input. I see that side of things too, though I am not entirely convinced of the implication that because I am an employee of a tech company, I need internet (at my own expense). I'm curious if you could articulate that implication here?

starkfist 16y ago
It's implied because unless you live in poverty or are 85 years or older, it's kind of weird to not have the internet at home, whether or not you're the CTO of a tech company.
- anonStartupCTO 16y ago
  Okay, well then I guess I'm 'weird'. I studied computer science in school, so I can deal with that =)
brk 16y ago
This is just from my perspective... For background, I usually own one or more departments in a typical startup, ranging from Pre-Sales Engineering to Customer Support, to IT. In every case when I hire someone I have a set of what I consider to be reasonable expectations: They will have a method to get to work reliably. They will have a method to bathe regularly They will have a method to be contacted after-hours in case of emergency (land-line and/or cell phone) They will have a method to be contacted and respond electronically after-hours. During the Interview stage, and in any offer letters, I make it clear that if you want to take a job at a startup you are going to be doing the work of 1.5 - 2.5 "standard" employees. We might not have a budget or requirement for 24.7 staffing, but things WILL happen after hours from time to time, and unless there are extreme circumstances you WILL be expected to act in a reasonable amount of time to respond to or resolve the issue. So, I generally expect my employees to have basic connectivity and reachability after hours. Sometimes, depending on the scenario, the company will subsidize some or all their cell-phone or cable-modem bill, especially if either are used "significantly" for their work. At the same time, I wouldn't pay for someones car, or clothing, or heat bill. Cable modem/Internet at home is usually NOT subsidized unless the employee is a pure telecommuter. Maybe my expectations are illogical, but of course I don't think so ;)

starkfist 16y ago

It's implied because unless you live in poverty or are 85 years or older, it's kind of weird to not have the internet at home, whether or not you're the CTO of a tech company.

anonStartupCTO 16y ago
Okay, well then I guess I'm 'weird'. I studied computer science in school, so I can deal with that =)

brk 16y ago

This is just from my perspective... For background, I usually own one or more departments in a typical startup, ranging from Pre-Sales Engineering to Customer Support, to IT. In every case when I hire someone I have a set of what I consider to be reasonable expectations: They will have a method to get to work reliably. They will have a method to bathe regularly They will have a method to be contacted after-hours in case of emergency (land-line and/or cell phone) They will have a method to be contacted and respond electronically after-hours. During the Interview stage, and in any offer letters, I make it clear that if you want to take a job at a startup you are going to be doing the work of 1.5 - 2.5 "standard" employees. We might not have a budget or requirement for 24.7 staffing, but things WILL happen after hours from time to time, and unless there are extreme circumstances you WILL be expected to act in a reasonable amount of time to respond to or resolve the issue. So, I generally expect my employees to have basic connectivity and reachability after hours. Sometimes, depending on the scenario, the company will subsidize some or all their cell-phone or cable-modem bill, especially if either are used "significantly" for their work. At the same time, I wouldn't pay for someones car, or clothing, or heat bill. Cable modem/Internet at home is usually NOT subsidized unless the employee is a pure telecommuter. Maybe my expectations are illogical, but of course I don't think so ;)