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Programmers are most likely to work from home

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Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#271

Post by commandar »

eddieh wrote: post #12

I like working from my office. I don't understand people that like working from home. Possible confounding variable: I live exactly two blocks from my office and don't have to commute. Perhaps, in actuality, people don't like to commute?

I live less than five minutes from my office.

I make a point of making myself available at the office a couple of hours per day, but I vastly prefer -- and am more productive -- working from my office at home. Fewer distractions, less noise, and I can work when I want. For somebody that's severely ADHD and has always been a night owl, it makes a huge difference.

I still prefer getting some face time to quickly talk through some issues, which is why I do physically go in to the office most days (and I'm about to head there now), but if I had to choose to go strictly one direction or the other, I'd choose remote work without any question.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#272

Post by ooqr »

midgetjones wrote: post #31
ooqr wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That, and the snacks I buy and put in my fridge are better than the free snacks at work. Also I can take a shower in the middle of the day. Which is the best time.

> Also I can take a shower in the middle of the day. Which is the best time. I'm intrigued. Why is that the best time?

That was really mostly the case in the cold of winter.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#273

Post by eratins »

eddieh wrote: post #12

I like working from my office. I don't understand people that like working from home. Possible confounding variable: I live exactly two blocks from my office and don't have to commute. Perhaps, in actuality, people don't like to commute?

Same, but I also get free food at the office and other nice perks.

Also, I like my coworkers so coming to work seems like playing sometimes.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#274

Post by sigstoat »

aidenn0 wrote: post #141
skizm wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will name some the reasons I like to work from home and none involve a commute: - I'm in an open office situation. - Standing desk is awkward when everyone else is sitting. - If I make a loud noise eating or sneezing or something like 5 people stare at me trying to figure out what is going on. - I can't have twitch or a baseball game on in the background because nosey co-workers will walk by, see my screen, and com…

Yeah, all but one of your complaints would be solved by a door[1]. Are there actually programmers who prefer the open-office setting? It's not like I magically stop socializing if you put me in an office. The only thing worse than open-office for me is a setting where my back is to a space that people are walking through. I can't even have my back to an open doorway in an office (assuming the hallway outside is somew…

> Yeah, all but one of your complaints would be solved by a door

most places if you close the door your office is cut off from the nearest thermostat, so you get too hot or too cold.

...assuming your office was even a reasonable temperature to start with. and that the HVAC is working that day. and that your office mate isn't some 70 year old who is cold all the time but can't just put on a sweater.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#275

Post by rubicon33 »

samfisher83 wrote: post #240

You spend 8 hours a day working. Why would you want to be isolated from other people? As a kid you go to school you are around people. Working from home seems like you are kind of isolated from people. Its not the same as over skype or slack.

This in my experience is the biggest problem with WFH. It's great for X months, or years, but everyone needs human interaction whether they realize it or not.

If you're a highly social person, "X" will probably be months before you start to get cabin fever and feel extremely isolated. If you're more introverted, "X" may be as long as years. I believe though, it will catch up with everyone eventually.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#276

Post by pavel_lishin »

chillacy wrote: post #232
pavel_lishin wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not much of a favor if you don't see it coming and still have bills to pay.

But a true "top performer" would have another job in a week (especially in a tech hub), no?

They don't all live in tech hubs, there are many very good reasons not to jump into one of the first offers you get, and just because you're a top performer at Widget Co doesn't mean that every other company you apply to will find that self-evident based on a few interviews.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#277

Post by cableshaft »

Arizhel wrote: post #190
return0 wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think working from home is superior (for tech/programming work). In terms of work, it's the best way to not only avoid distractions, but also lay out your time in a way that is conducive to completing a project in the way you intended, and to let your ideas be fully implemented. This means projects finish sooner, much sooner than in a 9-5 environment. I believe that, when you know that you cannot escape the office…

Not everyone is good at having the discipline to get work done at home and to separate home and work while they're at home. Also, people with young children are naturally going to have a big problem. Lots of people who try it complain that their spouses and kids won't leave them alone at home, thinking that popping in isn't a big deal even though it interrupts their focus. And not everyone can afford a home that give…

$500/month for a coworking cubicle? Wow. The going rate around here (Chicagoland) seems to be less than $200 a month. In some of the smaller cities I don't think it even costs more than $400/month to give yourself a (small) dedicated suite for an office around here.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#278

Post by softawre »

ergothus wrote: post #160
NumberSix wrote: post #112

The article does not discuss the impact of the open office movement. I've worked from home, in actual offices, in cubicles both cramped and spacious, and open offices. It can be quite difficult to focus at home due to various distractions, especially if you do not have a separate room or area for work. It is difficult to separate work and non-work with a home office. There are a variety of communications issues with…

I think what people miss most often is that this is NOT a "one solution fits all" kind of thing. For some office cultures one is better, and for some people one is better. I myself am very easily distracted, and I'm far more productive at home, where I have a private office set to my preferences, including sound (this sounds ridiculous, but my ear cartilage is sensitive, so I can't wear earbuds and over-the-ear headp…

I appreciate your well thought out comment.

I have a recommendation on over-ear headphones. I have these Sennheiser HD598s, and I can wear them for 10 hours straight with no discomfort. Highly recommended: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones...

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#279

Post by _e »

humbleMouse wrote: post #15

There is a dirty secret that nobody talks about and the real reason that companies want programmers in the office. Companies want their top performers in the office so they can serve as trainers/mentors/teachers to the new college kids and the incompetent older people they hire. I think this is the real reason companies crack down on working from home. It's infuriating as a top performer - I just want to get my assig…

For engineers/developers, mentoring is not necessarily having a seasoned person training someone with no experience. Everyone on the team has a different background and experience. We ran into an issue the other day where we identified a developer misunderstanding how a certain kind of technology is supposed to be used. This developer is outstanding on many levels, super focused and a great asset. English is also not their native language. Try describing a concept over Skype with paint.exe. It is much easier to put it on a white board so everyone can see how their piece fits into the larger picture. Having everyone in the same location brings synergy you can’t achieve in remote locations and timezones especially if you are a startup.

Re: Programmers are most likely to work from home

#280

Post by beat »

dep_b wrote: post #214
chrisan wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My problem with an office or open office is not the noise, I can put on headphones and be fine, but is the actual interruptions. In an open office it is obviously much easier for someone to just lean over or look around their monitor and grab your attention, but having a private office with a door is still prone to someone knocking (or walking in if not closed) Working from home, people can email, chat, or leave a ph…

Let me tell you from my experience as somebody that didn't see the inside of an office for so long I forgot what bad coffee tastes like that the "headphones means go away" rule is not respected by significant others at home. Actually just playing the music loud over speakers works much better. But YMMV depending on your music taste, mine is perceived as too intrusive by most.

I don't like wearing headphones for too long. But a nice hi-fi setup with vinyl while I'm working... that I love. And can't do it in the office.
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