This post was inspired by a twitter conversation on May 19th, 2008. The discussion was about how gas prices are rising and at what price will it really start to impact commuting habits. The talk then turned towards a discussion of telecommuting and the gist was that most folks would love to do it, but employers are not open to the practice. I realized that over the past ten years that I’ve been able to telecommute as I see fit.

Some may see it as luck or accommodating employers and clients, but it is more about me speaking up for what I want and expect of those that engage my services. I’ve explained to employers and clients alike that I understand there are certain times when I need to be present for a meeting and that for the better part I will be in the office when needed and even when not, but I want to make my own schedule. I will put my time in and then some, but I expect flexibility. Too often folks go into an employment situation and let the employer pull all the strings. If you have the skills and they really value you, then you have a good deal more leverage than you may realize.

It is not about going in and demanding to only be in the office Tuesdays and Thursday from 10-3 and working the rest of your commitment at your leisure. It is about being flexible and clarifying that this expectation goes both ways. The first employer I really sought this out with was a growing company that had just been purchased. They were also located thirty miles from were I lived and commuting at a “normal” time necessitated a longer drive through rush hour traffic both ways. I simply asked if I could come in later and work later, explaining that it was far more efficient for me to do so and that it would make me a happier employee.

I learned from this experience and realized that I did have some say in things. Yes, there are always going to be draconian, bureaucratic managers that just don’t “get it”, but they are a dying breed. Accommodating such personalities is a balancing act. You want to keep your job, but acquiescing to such people only reinforces their behavior. You need to present your case balanced with reason and logic. Understand their point of view, but don’t sell your viewpoint short either.

My manager was reluctant at first, but after a little pushing I was able to discover his real needs. He wasn’t so much concerned with were I was working from, but wanted to know the schedule. I worked with him and was able to provide him with some of the structure he needed. All the while letting him know that I was always able and willing to be flexible and come in for the early meeting or work late to fix a bug.

As I’ve moved into the consulting world the biggest value I provide to my clients is not being on site for X hours a week, but being available 24/7. I have yet to get a call at three in the morning demanding that some fire be put out right away, but if the need arises I’m ready. Providing hyper-availability gives my clients peace-of-mind and gives me leverage to create my own schedule. Further, this allows me be very responsive to all of my clients and not locked into any one’s work schedule.

At the end of the day you are providing skills and service to your employer and they are paying for these services. It is not all that much different from consulting. Don’t ever be afraid to ask your employer for something. You might be surprised at the answer you get and the worst thing they can do is say no. If they won’t even listen to you concerns then I would argue that either you’ve become too systematized or, more likely, you are not working for the right employer.

As far as the gas discussion and flexible scheduling, the implications are obvious. My simple move to coming in and working later probably saved me a tank a month when gas was cheap and I was commuting sixty miles a day. Gas is getting pricey and I do try to put some thought into maximizing my commuting schedule, but as a consultant I also get to deduct all of my travel mileage to client sites. This is about 50 cents a mile and equates to roughly $1300 in savings for my efforts or roughly my the bulk of my fuel expenditures per year. So think about consulting if its appropriate for your career field - again you might be surprised.

So what do you think? What are your experiences with flexible scheduling and telecommuting? What would you realistically hope to get out of it? How would you approach you’re current employer? I’d love to hear your comments.