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>> What I don't get is why more companies aren't structuring themselves to take advantage of remote workers. Lots of companies _are_ structuring to take advant

>> What I don't get is why more companies aren't structuring themselves to take advantage of remote workers. Lots of companies _are_ structuring to take advantage or remote workers. It's called outsourcing. After all, why pay high rates for a remote-US worker when you can pay low-rates for a remote Chinese or Indian worker. Sure, you're smart, and bright, and a hard worker, but there are a billion Indians, and more Chinese - I'm sure we can find _someone_ smart and keen AND cheap... Telecomputing and outsourcing are the same thing. If you promote one, then you promote the other. What workers don't realize is that there is a massive advantage in going to the office. It's the only thing separating you from that other guy. Take that advantage away at your own peril, but don't come crying to me later when your job has moved 10 000 miles away.

danssig 16y ago
This is a good argument to bring up but I think it will have the opposite effect. Right now if you look at e.g. India, there are lots of outsourcing companies but workers don't stay long at these places. They get in, get experience and then move on somewhere they can make money. Usually somewhere in the west. If telecommuting were to take hold, yes that would mean I would be competing with people from e.g. India. But guess what: I already am. The biggest difference would be that people from India wouldn't have to move to the west for years, build up their income and then move back. They could stay in India if they wanted.
danenania 16y ago
The thing is, remote work puts even more of a premium on communication and reading between the lines than office work. These are challenges for people who grow up with a different language and culture. So for now, native English speakers tend to have a big leg up and can charge more for projects in English-speaking areas, which tend to have the most good projects. Perhaps the tables will turn in the future.
strangetimes 16y ago
The advantage of physical presence with regards to job security is one of the points Chad Fowler makes in "My Job Went to India". http://www.amazon.com/Job-Went-India-Pragmatic-Programmers/dp/0976694018 http://www.amazon.com/Job-Went-India-Pragmatic-Programmers/d...

danssig 16y ago

This is a good argument to bring up but I think it will have the opposite effect. Right now if you look at e.g. India, there are lots of outsourcing companies but workers don't stay long at these places. They get in, get experience and then move on somewhere they can make money. Usually somewhere in the west. If telecommuting were to take hold, yes that would mean I would be competing with people from e.g. India. But guess what: I already am. The biggest difference would be that people from India wouldn't have to move to the west for years, build up their income and then move back. They could stay in India if they wanted.

danenania 16y ago

The thing is, remote work puts even more of a premium on communication and reading between the lines than office work. These are challenges for people who grow up with a different language and culture. So for now, native English speakers tend to have a big leg up and can charge more for projects in English-speaking areas, which tend to have the most good projects. Perhaps the tables will turn in the future.

strangetimes 16y ago

The advantage of physical presence with regards to job security is one of the points Chad Fowler makes in "My Job Went to India". http://www.amazon.com/Job-Went-India-Pragmatic-Programmers/dp/0976694018 http://www.amazon.com/Job-Went-India-Pragmatic-Programmers/d...