Shawn Overcast

Greg -

Thanks for your comment. How grateful am I that texting wasn't an option when I was first navigating the credibility-building exercises of my first telecommuting experience! Instant message was intrusive enough. I feel the pendulum has swung, and while we gain from the benefit of tools such as instant chat, direct messaging, and text, there is also patience and understanding that we may not be in a position to respond. This is another example where the accountability swings both ways - it is on me, the individual, to manage expectations about when and how I can respond, and to set parameters for when something might need to take exception.

Thanks for reading and taking time to comment!

- Shawn

Lewis -

I fully agree - being expected to be available outside of standard working hours is extreme. Which is one reason I deliberately managed my communication and proactive outreach within the boundaries of 'standard business hours.' That was an important expectation to manage, and an important boundary to put in place - especially for those working out of a home office. In my experience, it is more difficult to 'turn off' than it is to get distracted by other things in the home.

I also recognize that others don't work like this. Some enjoy burning the midnight oil and do their best work after the kids are in bed. Or take advantage of a quiet Saturday afternoon to put the finishing touches on a project. I advocate for balance, and in our company, we allow work to be done when you are at your best. We also expect respect of each others' time, especially when needing to collaborate on a project. We expect people to be adaptable to each others' schedules when necessary, and within reason.

Thanks so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts.

- Shawn