I'm a software engineer and I recently started a new job in February, but I have to move to a new city in August. I love my new job - compared to my last one, things are much better here and I could see myself staying for the next 3+ years if I had it my way (or more, who knows).
Background: - 2 internships + 2 co-ops before graduation (~1.5 years of related experience) - Graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors in CS last year - Been working full-time since graduation (~8 months)<p>The company has a team that works offshore and we have some remote sales folks, but none of our engineers are "full remote". Working from the office isn't necessary and, even from the interview process, I know this company is flexible with where we work from.<p>So I'm reaching out to the community to see what you all think my chances of keeping my job are. I'll be moving ~10 hours drive away (1.5 hour flight), but my commute to the office would be ~1/month at most (depending on costs: rental car, hotel, flights, etc.) I want to talk to my employer ASAP, but I also don't want to be laid off between now and August in case they want to replace me.. so waiting might be better.<p>- Have you had an employer allow you to move and work remotely?<p>- If so, when did you let them know? Months in advance? Weeks in advance?<p>- How did you enjoy working remotely in a new location?<p>- How often did they need you to commute to the office and for how long was your visit?<p>I'm mainly trying to decide when I should let my employer know so they and I can both be prepared for what might be involved in looking for new work down the road.<p>Thanks in advance.
Maybe you should reach out to your boss, rather than us? I mean, we're mostly ok with it:-)<p>Perhaps you could find some good arguments for keeping your job here? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Office-Required-Jason-Fried-ebook/dp/B00C0ALZ0W?tag=dedasys-20" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Office-Required-Jason-Fried-ebo...</a>
It sounds like you're looking for advice on this nebulous idea of having your cake and eating it too. I actually did something similar last year - I had a good job but was moving out of state for other reasons. The simplest (and only) approach was to be honest with my boss. I opened a discussion of how we could make it happen.<p>You have to think about the company's point of view: is it worthwhile to keep you on, regardless of whatever difficulties arise? You need to make it a win-win for them.
- In 2008 I moved from DC to SF and kept my job.<p>- I started thinking about moving in May, near the end of June I brought it up as a possibility and to see if there was any possible chance it would work for my employer. In late July we worked out the details which really amounted to not much of anything other than "work". And in early September I drove to SF and set up shop.<p>- I was in SF with my future wife working on a pretty slow moving government contract. It worked for me at the time and allowed me to transition to a new city/life without the hassle/stress of finding a new job. The work was fine, but I was thrust into the center of the startup universe, so it was obvious how much was out there to learn and do.<p>- I was "supposed" to commute back east quarterly, but it was never really needed, so I only did it once officially (though I was back for a few days for a funeral at one point as well).<p>Basically, if you are a well respected and valued contributor to the team and the team has experience with other people working remotely then I'd say your chances are pretty good. But I'd start talking to them now. You know you have to move. You know you want to keep the job. But if they are going to telly you it isn't going to work you want to know sooner rather than later so you can find a new job in your new location ASAP.
- Have you had an employer allow you to move and work remotely?
Yes, we have remote employees from acquisitions but it was a challenge to convince my manager's manager that I could work remotely. I was surprised there was resistance in asking because my team is spread out globally so in theory we are all remote workers. When I did become remote, it was more like a trial/probation to see if it works out.<p>- If so, when did you let them know? Months in advance? Weeks in advance?
I started the process in Fall and told them I would be moving in Summer. My manager's manager dragged their feet on making a decision until I told my team I would be putting in my 2 weeks notice in Summer. My coworkers sent emails to their managers that it would be a huge loss for the team if I had to quit. I didn't plan on using this as leverage but it worked out.<p>- How did you enjoy working remotely in a new location?
I am a very social person, but I love working remotely as I get more done than in an office. The local office was an open office design so noise would force me to put headphones on. Now I can play music out loud and not be distracted by side conversations.<p>You need to define a space that is your office and have rules with your family, e.g. if the door is shut do not disturb me. You need set working hours too. I rarely have to sign in at night to assist with global team members.<p>- How often did they need you to commute to the office and for how long was your visit?
I usually visit the office twice a year or more if I am in town visiting old friends. Usually I visit when other team members are visiting the office.
I've done remote like this for the last little while. I was pleasantly surprised that my employer was okay with it. Turns out, if you are competent, employers usually don't want to lose you.<p>Bigger question ... do you want to work like this? I work a lot more/harder than I used to. I have to remember to take breaks. There are no water cooler chats in my life any more ... no chance to grab coffee with a work colleague. I try to go to meetups but it is not the same.<p>Suggestions:
1) Build a sweet work office. I was working with my laptop for ages and it was tough. Buy a nice printer, external monitor setup, get unlimited Internet.<p>2) Make sure you have buddies in the home office who can help you if something urgent comes up. VPN/connectivity issues can happen.<p>There are big questions I have around growth (salary, responsibility are the big ones; technical growth is okay since I put in many hours to study up).<p>Working from home - if you have a spouse, they need to understand you are working. Home office is best but a separate room may not be feasible.<p>Don't sweat talking to your boss. I did sweat - turns out it wasn't necessary. You can propose a 3-6 month trial run.<p>Best of luck
I actually just did this. Started a new job in June last year, ended up moving across the country in Dec, but really liked my job and wanted to keep it and work remote full time.<p>Here's what I did:<p>1) In the months leading up to my move I worked my ass off and always volunteered to help out wherever my boss needed me most. This gave me experience on a lot of our different projects and made me less replaceable.<p>2) I told my employer one month before my move, and made sure they knew how much I enjoyed working for the company and how I really wanted to continue working for them remotely. However, I also made it clear that I was fully committed to moving with or without my job (in fact the following weekend I was flying out to find an apt).<p>It seems somewhat selfish and counter intuitive, but I believe that it's better to give less notice time than more. This creates more of a sense of urgency for your employer. A friend of mine tried the same thing but gave five months notice and was told that he couldn't work remote, but "come talk to us in five months before doing anything drastic (aka quitting)".<p>However, regardless of when you tell your employer, the most important thing is that you must be 100% committed to your move and willing to lose your job and start over in your new location.<p>To answer your other two questions:
Working remotely has it's pros and cons, which I won't go into detail on, since this post is already getting rather long :) But you can find lots of info in other places about this. Overall though, it has worked out very well for both me and my employer.<p>So far in four months of working remote I haven't been back to the office yet (it's a four hour flight). But from what we've discussed I'll probably be back in the office for one week per year.<p>Best of luck to you!
You have my permission to work remotely. Thanks for asking.<p>In all seriousness, yes this can be done and happens all the time, even in large institutions. A friend of mine moved from Boston to CO, yet kept his Boston University job as a software developer. Just ask. Preferably your boss, not the internet.
> If so, when did you let them know? Months in advance? Weeks in advance?<p>Timing is everything. Three months out is a fair time window. Meanwhile, you'll have grown more seasoned and useful to the team. And your moving plans will become more concrete. Pitch your boss the Work Remote idea as pilot project for 6 months, subject to periodic review.
Start reading up on best practices for remote working. You'll want to assure him you have a game plan to make this a smooth, seamless transition. Move on Friday, plug-in on Monday situation normal.
Currently working my second stint in China for my Australian company, first stint was 15 months although this one will be much shorter.<p>You really need to talk to your boss, you'll probably find them to be a bit more open minded than you think. If they realise they can't really stop you from going they'll likely see more value in keeping you remote than losing you entirely.<p>You might need to make some compromises, possibly even pay related, but there's a good chance you can meet somewhere in the middle and everyone can be happy.
And I appreciate the responses. I'm mainly looking for advice based on people's experiences -- Yes, I need to talk to my boss, but I'm trying to figure out 'when' to do this.
I would talk to your boss asap about this. It will likely take some time for them to run it up the flagpole to get approval if they are on board, etc...<p>Good luck with the job and the move.