cni-directories: Re: telework/telecommuting
Re: telework/telecommuting
(no name) ((no email))
Sun, 26 Jan 1992 10:14:00 EST
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1992 10:14:00 EST
From: "Sharyn Ladner, Business Librarian,
Subject: Re: telework/telecommuting
I sent the following note to Bernie Sloan in response to his question
about telework. The responses so far have been interesting and
diverse, so I thought I'd share my experience and orientation with
the group.
I, too, read the article on telework in _Electronic Networking_ and
thought about how the concept of telework could apply to my situation.
I'm a reference librarian on tenure track and I am granted one
day per week for research. On this day I work at home, either
analyzing data using SPSS on the university's VAX, or writing up
results and drafting papers for publication on my PC. I find that
I am unable to do any concentrated thinking in my office -- it's
an "open office" so sound travels, plus there are so many interruptions.
I would like to be able to do more work at home, only coming into
work for meetings, reference desk duty, or office hours, but
this is not allowed. The rationale is that those of us in public
service departments are supposed to be "on call." This makes
little sense to me, what with e-mail and voice mail -- I make it
a point to check my voice while at home twice a day, and it's
very rare that I don't return a call within 24 hours.
So to answer your question about telework for library professionals --
I think it's a viable option, with real productivity advantages.
The major drawback is the attitude, held by both some administrators
and colleagues, that you are goofing off if you can't be seen.
(Of course, I should also mention that research cannot be done
just one day per week --so I am also "teleworking" evenings and
weekends. It's publish or perish, you know!)
One more point -- I purchased my pc and peripherals myself. I do
not think we can or should expect our employers to buy us computers
to use at home unless we are required to do the work at home. My
computer at home, however, is much better than the one I use at
work (which I have to share with the rest of the Reference Department)
-- hmm, sounds like another reason to work at home, doesn't it? :-)
Sharyn Ladner
Assistant Professor and Business Librarian
University of Miami (FL) Richter Library
sladner@umiami (bitnet)
sladner@umiami.ir.miami.edu (internet)
"standard disclaimers apply -- these opinions are mine and may not
reflect those of my employer"
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