3 ms·

A bunch of people are suggesting "work from home". Which sounds great but at the same time impossible. I don't think I could convince my employer to let me. I'm

by deft 8y ago

A bunch of people are suggesting "work from home". Which sounds great but at the same time impossible. I don't think I could convince my employer to let me. I'm sure I'm not alone.

itamarst 8y ago
It's possible at some companies by default. And even if you think it isn't, it may be possible at your employer too, if you ask. Replacing existing employees is expensive. You understand the code, the business, the processes, the knowledge network (who knows what), etc.. Hiring someone straight off the street to replace you, even if they on paper have same technical skills, is a huge cost. Thus, given a rational manager, if you are willing to quit your job over this you have a lot of leverage. You can make your negotiating position even stronger by: 1. Living below your means, so you have lots of savings in the bank. 2. Getting a job offer you're willing to accept that does have this benefit, then going to your employer and asking them to counter it. 3. Pointing out the ways this will benefit your employer. There's a couple chapters about this in my book, The Programmer's Guide to a Sane Workweek (https://codewithoutrules.com/saneworkweek/ https://codewithoutrules.com/saneworkweek/), but it's similar negotiating dynamic to part-time job, except much easier to get, so this blog post may also be relevant: https://codewithoutrules.com/2018/01/08/part-time-programmer/ https://codewithoutrules.com/2018/01/08/part-time-programmer...
- deft 8y ago
  Thanks for the info and the links :) the blog post sounds like my dream haha. I've only been at my current job for a few months, so I won't ask yet, but I'm going to try this.
chvid 8y ago
Working from home is not a recipe for avoiding burnout ... might actually be the opposite.
theyinwhy 8y ago
As working at home might help some people be aware that it can lead to burnout faster as private and working lives merge. See e.g. https://jaxenter.com/working-remotely-leads-to-burnout-131306.html https://jaxenter.com/working-remotely-leads-to-burnout-13130...
wickedOne 8y ago
having worked from home quite a bit: though it can be very productive, it certainly comes with it's own set of downsides; - working from home, you'll never get "home from work". in the end, at least in my case, it caused me to work outside working working hours more often as my home became my office. - the occasional brainstorm with your colleauges becomes a chore resulting in skipping those and writing worse code / having more debate over code reviews. even though there are quite a few video conferencing applications around, brainstorm sessions tend to be more effective / productive while having a walk / a coffee / etc together (my $0.02). so yeah, when your work environment is the cause of burning you out, working from home is a short term solution, finding a better environment the long term one if you'd ask me
- deft 8y ago
  Thanks, I can definitely see that happening. I don't want to work remotely excusively, just a day at home per week would be cool with me and balance out the negatives you mention.
mnm1 8y ago
Change jobs then. I've been doing this for over four years and if an in office company offered double what I'm getting now I'd still say no. That's how much it's worth it to me.

by deft 8y ago

A bunch of people are suggesting "work from home". Which sounds great but at the same time impossible. I don't think I could convince my employer to let me. I'm sure I'm not alone.

itamarst 8y ago

It's possible at some companies by default. And even if you think it isn't, it may be possible at your employer too, if you ask. Replacing existing employees is expensive. You understand the code, the business, the processes, the knowledge network (who knows what), etc.. Hiring someone straight off the street to replace you, even if they on paper have same technical skills, is a huge cost. Thus, given a rational manager, if you are willing to quit your job over this you have a lot of leverage. You can make your negotiating position even stronger by: 1. Living below your means, so you have lots of savings in the bank. 2. Getting a job offer you're willing to accept that does have this benefit, then going to your employer and asking them to counter it. 3. Pointing out the ways this will benefit your employer. There's a couple chapters about this in my book, The Programmer's Guide to a Sane Workweek (https://codewithoutrules.com/saneworkweek/ https://codewithoutrules.com/saneworkweek/), but it's similar negotiating dynamic to part-time job, except much easier to get, so this blog post may also be relevant: https://codewithoutrules.com/2018/01/08/part-time-programmer/ https://codewithoutrules.com/2018/01/08/part-time-programmer...

deft 8y ago
Thanks for the info and the links :) the blog post sounds like my dream haha. I've only been at my current job for a few months, so I won't ask yet, but I'm going to try this.

chvid 8y ago

Working from home is not a recipe for avoiding burnout ... might actually be the opposite.

theyinwhy 8y ago

As working at home might help some people be aware that it can lead to burnout faster as private and working lives merge. See e.g. https://jaxenter.com/working-remotely-leads-to-burnout-131306.html https://jaxenter.com/working-remotely-leads-to-burnout-13130...

wickedOne 8y ago

having worked from home quite a bit: though it can be very productive, it certainly comes with it's own set of downsides; - working from home, you'll never get "home from work". in the end, at least in my case, it caused me to work outside working working hours more often as my home became my office. - the occasional brainstorm with your colleauges becomes a chore resulting in skipping those and writing worse code / having more debate over code reviews. even though there are quite a few video conferencing applications around, brainstorm sessions tend to be more effective / productive while having a walk / a coffee / etc together (my $0.02). so yeah, when your work environment is the cause of burning you out, working from home is a short term solution, finding a better environment the long term one if you'd ask me

deft 8y ago
Thanks, I can definitely see that happening. I don't want to work remotely excusively, just a day at home per week would be cool with me and balance out the negatives you mention.

mnm1 8y ago

Change jobs then. I've been doing this for over four years and if an in office company offered double what I'm getting now I'd still say no. That's how much it's worth it to me.