Essential needs for rural telecommuting
I live in a rural area, about 56 miles from my place of work, and I telecommute to work whenever I can. Since I cut back my hours a few weeks ago, I’m only working two days each week. I telecommute one day a week and I take a long-distance commute into the office on the other work day.
If you want to telecommute, there are a few essentials you’ll have to have to get your job done.
High-speed internet access
Without high-speed internet access, most remote access software won’t work, and the programs that do work with a dial up connection are extraordinarily slow, even with a fast computer.
I’ve actually used both. I tried telecommuting at a different job but at that time, I had no DSL. My dial up connection was prone to disconnection and interruption, even with a dedicated phone line, the connection was slow, and the feasibility of me staying connected all day like I need to do today was out of the question.
For many rural users of DSL and broadband, options are limited and can be expensive.
I pay $39.95 for my DSL—this is just the DSL. Because I’m in a rural community that’s serviced exclusively by a cooperative, I use their phone service (DSL requires a phone line) and must buy their monthly dial up at $19.95. If I don’t buy the dial up, I don’t get DSL. So my total cost as a rural user for DSL, not including the basic phone line which I would maintain anyway (no reliable cell service within 1 mile of my home) I spend $59.90 before taxes and fees to keep my high-speed internet access.
For rural telecommuters, there’s also satellite internet access and possibly cable. I don’t have access to cable, but maybe you do.
Reliable & fast computer, and a backup
I need the software on my office computer to do my job so I stay connected to my office computer through GoToMyPC for almost the entirety of the time I’m working from home. Many telecommuters will have more freedom than this.
However, no matter which setup you end up with, (working through your computer, or working on your computer) you’re going to need a reliable computer that’s able to respond quickly.
Being on the phone with your boss and waiting for something to load on a slow computer is not only embarrassing, it’s a possible reason why Boss might begin to prefer that you return to working from the office.
Just this past weekend, I upgraded the memory
When you live in a rural area, a second computer is essential if you work from your home for two reasons.
- Keeps personal separate from business. Tying up the home computer for hours on end isn’t a good way to keep peace in your family life.
- Gives you a backup in case your main computer goes down. During work hours, Boss isn’t going to appreciate it if you can’t do your work. Being in a rural location means there aren’t as many computer repair options available so quick repairs are likely out of the question. You need a second computer to allow you to keep working when the worst happens.
Personally, I have both a desktop computer
There are other needs that any telecommuter will have, including communications, phones, fax, scanner, and more. When you begin to think seriously about telecommuting, the first thing you should do is make up a list of what your needs might be.
Although you might not have success requesting that your boss meet or subsidize some of these needs, it’s always in your best interest to at least ask. Put a proposal together (or a short email, depending on your work environment) and ask.