Telecommuting
I found this article to be of great interest to myself because my work and life has revolved around telecommuting for the past several years. As the article indicates, “a telecommuter is anyone who works at least part of the time at home, in their cars, from clients’ offices, and/or in hotel rooms and telephone booths.” Although the article is somewhat dated (1995 to be exact), I feel that what Robert Moskowitz wrote about telecommuting back in 1995 still applies today. When I chose to go to work for ADP-Automatic Data Processing several years ago, I already had some previous work experience as a telecommuter. At the time, I had no idea that my current position would actually transition itself to a telecommuting position or as I would like to call it now, “a virtual office position.”
As a Software Implementation Consultant, I feel that a telecommuting position has been a viable solution for my employer, for my work responsibilities, and for my overall job satisfaction. With the help of hardware devices such as my laptop computer, pager, cellular phone, voicemail, etc., and software applications such as pcANYWHERE, MS-NetMeeting, MS-Project, MS-Internet Explorer, MS-Office, MS-Outlook, etc., I can accomplish everything from home-or anywhere else for that matter-than being in an actual home office. Because I can be reached during the workweek, virtually anyplace at anytime, and I can work pretty much anywhere at anytime, this requires a lot of responsibility, organization, and dedication to my company and it’s clients. Although it appears that I do have this flexibility in my current position, I do tend to be in my home office one or two times a week for meetings, personal contacts, etc. I feel this is still necessary, so that I don’t loose touch with the company and associates I work with at ADP.
Finally, telecommuting has allowed me the independence without the direct supervision to become more productive in my position. I feel most people, including myself, would tend to be more productive if they didn’t have someone looking over their shoulder everyday. But I do realize it takes a special person with a good combination of a strong discipline and a strong work ethic to be an effective telecommuter.
My Future:
I am sure as technology advances, my current position as a telecommuter will become more efficient in the ways of doing business with my company and with my clients.
Throughout Julius Caesar Brutus acts in accordance with his morals, which makes his eventual fall all the more tragic as Brutus genuinely believed his actions benefitted the future of Rome. Unlike most of the self-interested people around him, Brutus genuinely cares for the continued well-being of the Roman republic. Brutus sees Caesar's rise to power and imminent crowning as a danger to the freedom of the people in Rome since, "crown [Caesar] that, and then I grant we put a sting in him that at his will he may do danger with. Th' abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power" (2.1.15-19). Brutus knows that many past rulers have turned into tyrants and oppressed their people after gaining substantial authority, and fears that the same tragedy will befall Rome if the Senate crowns Caesar. And although Brutus conspires to kill Caesar rather than finding a peaceful solution to this disagreement, he tells the other conspirators to limit their violence as "this shall make our purpose necessary and not envious, which so appearing to the common eyes, we shall be called purgers, not murderers" (2.1.175-178). Brutus' constant requests to preform the assassination quickly and honorably reveal his concern about the fate of the Romans acts as the motivation behind his actions (unlike the other conspirators who "did that they did in envy of great Caesar") (5.5.71).
Teamwork has become increasingly important as workers no longer focus on just getting their own tasks or the specific tasks of their department done but with working together with their teammates and other departments in achieving corporate goals. As the textbook states, while interactions occur between a manager and their subordinate, interactions occur between a manager and other teams and groups (Landy & Conte, 2013, p. 502). Telecommuting is a way to offer a work-life balance while keeping key people. However, the leader is challenged with keeping track of these employees in regard to monitoring what they are doing and communicating with them (Landy & Conte, 2013, p. 502). Telecommuting is difficult as the manager has difficulty building a relationship with these employees as well as balancing how to keep them engaged in what is going on in the company. They should be in the office periodically in order to keep grounded with the company. Temporary workers are a way of filling a void when additional resources are needed. Temporary resources are used when a company has fluctuating production needs. The challenge is that they may not have the same level of commitment to or have the same values as employees that are full time (Landy & Conte, 2013, p. 504).
In the previous study, the authors stated that there are various studies about the telecommuting include references to corporate attitudes toward telecommuting, motivation, productivity, supervision and employee satisfaction.
Telecommuting has positives and negatives psychologically. Some positives include staying home with children; more free time, and making your own schedule, etc. Some say that looks very inviting. Many people, employees and managers, don't look at the negatives (no set times, difficulty communicating, being looked upon as a slacker, no face to face contact and so on) before they volunteer for their chance at freedom.
Salaam, Khalid. "Are Professional Athletes Over-Paid or Justly Compensated?" The Atlanta Post. Moguldom, 29 June 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2011.
In Act I, Scene II, he is disinclined to join Cassius’ conspiracy because he was loyal to Caesar and did not want to double-cross him. He had to carefully think about his choices and in Act III, Scene II, Brutus kills Caesar because as aforementioned he thinks that it is the most benefitting choice for Rome. He knew they would suffer under his ruling. Yet, he still knows in his heart what a right-minded man Caesar is. In the same part, he allows Antony to speak at the funeral, which was a proper ceremony in which this is allowed, whenever Cassius highly disagreed with this. Lastly, he shows sentiment when he committed suicide because of Cassius, his best friend,
There are many advantages for companies today to use telecommuters in their day to day business operations. This allows business’s to cut corners and save money so that way more money can be spent on other projects which will make more of a profit, and help reduce the costs for gas and travel expense for employees who travel a lot. They also have a larger audience of applicants to choose from which allows them to sort out the for specific skill or education for jobs they are trying fill which later will help contribute to an increase productivity and promoting a happier staff giving more time to workers for family time at home. By using telecommuters who will be actually working at the office perhaps once a weak or so helps save on realistic costs because employees who work at home do not need offices and when they are at the office they can share cubicles with other telecommuters promoting less space needed to lease.
While being able to enjoy the comfort of your own home and still collect a paycheck may seem like a good reason, that is not what started the idea of telecommuting. State and federal government first began the research and promotions of telecommuting to help minimize traffic congestion, cut operating cost, and help protect the environment (Hawkins, 2001). The Clea...
These employees are attracted to positions and organizations that offer telecommuting programs. Employers also use telecommuting to keep employees who, for various personal reasons, find that they can no longer commute to their offices. Organizations find, for example, that when the spouse of a valuable employee is forced to relocate, the employee may be retained through the use of telecommuting (Boyd, 1996). Likewise, it is also important to note that a distinct location within your home will be needed so that employees will be more productive if you separate your work and personal space, whether the boundary line is a door or your yard.
In conclusion, Brutus’ mistakes and flaws are overshadowed by his honorable intentions and genuine motives. In a society littered with dishonorable, deceitful people like Antony, Brutus, with his sense of honor and integrity, contrast them all. Brutus’ greatest weakness is his tendency to believe people who script words to purposely lie or misguide him. Due to his actions, he ends up dying an honorable death of a self-suicide. Having genuine compassion and sympathy towards others is not a bad thing. However, decisions should not be so heavily influenced by the opinions of others. The significance of planning things out before doing them is clearly illustrated, as it is a way to foresee possible complications or problems that may arise. Ironically, the conspirators’ cause is for naught as Antony becomes the tyrant that they fear Caesar would have become.
"For he can do no more than Caesar's arm / When Caesar's head is off" (2, i, 182-183). Brutus' reasoning for this thought, is that Antony will not retaliate "for he is given / To sports, to wildness, and much company" (2, i, 188-189). He believes that since Antony is a fun, friendly person, he would not be willing to avenge Caesar and disrupt the conspirators plans; even though logically, that is the expected course of action. This is proven when Brutus makes the m...
Merrill Lynch started a program where potential telecommuters working at the firm, go through an extensive training course by taking a two-week stint in a simulation lab where they are isolated from co-workers and managers just as they would at home. Some people find it more productive, while others realize that telecommuting is not for them. Most telecommuters will find the job comfortable if they themselves are self-motivated and focused. According to Gil Gordon, a telecommuting consultant in New Jersey, if you would like your firm to offer telecommuting, go in with a proposal, not a request. Show your boss why telecommuting will benefit the company.
What is telecommuting, and why would anyone want to either be employed by or employ others to work from their home? The telecommuting employees are “Salaried employees of an organization replace or modify the commute by working at home or a location closer to home than the regular workplace, generally using ICT to support productivity and communication with the supervisor, co-workers, clients, and other colleagues.” (Hoang, Nickerson, Beckman, & Eng, 2008) and according to studies 47 percent of telecommuting workers report that they are more productive while working from home due to a lessening of stress and increased satisfaction in their career - while their employers glean the benefit of saving 63 percent of the cost of absenteeism and save thousands of dollars annually over traditionally employed workers. (Potter, 2003) While some may say that in order to function properly in a workplace you have to be in the workplace, with minor adjustments in technology on both the employer’s and employee’s part telecommuting has become a proven, viable way for businesses to function profitably while their workforce remains able to reduce the stress of commuting on their personal and family lives.
Ator, Paul. "6 Reasons Why Pro Athletes Are Not Overpaid." WhatCulture 6 Reasons Why Pro
Advances in technology have changed businesses dramatically, in particular the communication and information technology that are conducted in firms, which changed the appearance and pace of businesses over the past few decades. ICT in particular, has evolved a lot over the past 30 years; important information can be stored in computers rather than being in drawers enabling information to be transferred at a greater volume and speed (Guy, 2009). ICT has also expanded various forms of telecommunications and workload conducted in businesses, internet examples of this include: e-mails can be used to communicate with others...