Working remotely - is this so unusual? (employee, applying, employer)

[gortamor]

Hi all,
I'm a senior level COBOL programmer who knows SQL/DB2 and can code in VB and use Visual Studio. I've been looking for awhile now for a remote position 1) so I can live closer to an aging parent, 2) I get much more done working at my home office.

With all of the tools available now to keep in touch, be 'at' meetings etc., you would think working remotely would be common, but I am not finding this to be so - not just in my field but in others that would lend themselves to it. Any ideas on why telecommuting hasn't really caught on? Insights appreciated.

[MLSFan]

The things you program in are industry that needs people at the office?

Don't know what those coding skills are useful in, in terms of industry, does one language do better than another in specific industries?

[ncsuengineer256]

Originally Posted by gortamor

Hi all,
I'm a senior level COBOL programmer who knows SQL/DB2 and can code in VB and use Visual Studio. I've been looking for awhile now for a remote position 1) so I can live closer to an aging parent, 2) I get much more done working at my home office.

With all of the tools available now to keep in touch, be 'at' meetings etc., you would think working remotely would be common, but I am not finding this to be so - not just in my field but in others that would lend themselves to it. Any ideas on why telecommuting hasn't really caught on? Insights appreciated.

I would love to have a remote position, as I would: 1) Be in a much better mood having cut out the daily frustrations of battling idiots on the highway, 2) Have a much better work/life balance and be able to flex my working hours, and 3) Reduce my CO2 footprint from reduced gasoline usage. Having said that, it's really not about me in this employment market. I've seen more positions being pulled "back in house" than going remote these days. I have several friends who have lost their remote abilities as a result of management wanting more folks to be in the office.

[ccm123]

I also find that it depends on the company culture. Here in Silicon Valley, it's pretty accepted to work remotely, at least part of the time, for some positions.

[maus]

Anecdotal knowledge and about one larger employer. ... I know of a woman who works remotely writing in COBOL for a very aged mainframe operating system for a large publicly traded company that has about 8K employees all over the US. This company is over 50 years old or so. The COBOL programmer probably has worked for this same employer roughly 20 years or so. Basically what happened is her office relocated to another state. Because of her insider knowledge of their customized operating system and decades-old programs that they run on AS400, the company kept her on as a 100% remote employee so she didn't have to relocate.

Although, I am taking a wild guess, I would imagine whenever she is replaced in the future, the new COBOL programmer hire will be required to be in the office probably near full-time. Personally, I know this particular employer is anti-work from home. They are old school, so that is the general attitude of their management.

To the OP, have you tried applying to government positions? I know the feds are more pro-teleworking than "some" older companies that still use primarily mainframes.

[Serious Conversation]

The barriers against WFH are not technological for most folks now - they are cultural. I work in a position that could be done 100% remotely, and while I do enjoy talking to coworkers, I'd much rather live somewhere else working remotely than living here in central Indiana.

[mizzourah2006]

Originally Posted by gortamor

Hi all,
I'm a senior level COBOL programmer who knows SQL/DB2 and can code in VB and use Visual Studio. I've been looking for awhile now for a remote position 1) so I can live closer to an aging parent, 2) I get much more done working at my home office.

With all of the tools available now to keep in touch, be 'at' meetings etc., you would think working remotely would be common, but I am not finding this to be so - not just in my field but in others that would lend themselves to it. Any ideas on why telecommuting hasn't really caught on? Insights appreciated.

I think it's typically easier to transition to remote work after some time with the company than starting as a remote employee.

[maus]

Originally Posted by mizzourah2006

I think it's typically easier to transition to remote work after some time with the company than starting as a remote employee.

This. I think this is still often the case at many companies. You work in the office for a while, and then later on, after your work is known, you may get to work remotely. At some companies, the ability to work from home (or not) is at the discretion of your direct manager.

[westender]

Many companies will allow limited WFH, subject to the two great obstacles of remote working: (1) a full day's work gets done and "socialized" (communication is key) as fast or faster as on-site and (2) it doesn't cause significant grumbling among the non-WFH employees. Do not underestimate that second item. Managers want to be perceived as fair, and they do not want lots of disgruntled people causing waves in the office when a few people are invisibly working remotely.

WFH is technically achievable almost anywhere, but I have noticed that the countervailing trend (everyone in the office 5 days per week) has been dominant at least since the 2008 recession. We have had to limit WFH to seasoned (10+ year) veterans, when lots of new hires pushing for this perq devolved into total radio silence when they were not in the office. Basically, they didn't understand that part of their job is managing the perception of colleagues through constant communication of the ongoing work. That means texts and e-mails plus phone and meeting presence throughout the day to all teammates.