What would you do??

sweetsunnyc

Hi All:

I will be returning to work from ML in March and am faced with two options. I work for a University with campuses all around CO and have been given the choice to return to the campus that I was previously working on or to move to a campus closer to home. Here's the deal: the campus that I was previously working on is a 50 minute commute each way. That being said, they would be willing to let me work from home one day a week. The campus closer to home is 25 minutes away, but no work from home option. I am having a hard time deciding. One day a week from home sounds great because I could be with the baby and get my 4 year old to and from school, but on the other hand, I am not looking forward to the commute. Any advice would be great!

stepper1725

I commute an hour each way and work from home on Fridays. We have a nanny watch DD at home on Fridays while I work. Honestly, I'd much rather a shorter commute than a day working at home. When I'm working at home, I'm not in the same room as DD or playing with her or anything so it's not like I'm spending any quality time with her. For me personally, I would much prefer to leave later in the mornings & be home earlier each day so I could spend time with DD in the mornings and evenings. As it stands now, I only see DD for about 30 minutes in the morning and an hour in the evenings. Plus, the savings in gas would be awesome with a shorter commute. Good luck with whatever you decide!

lrn327

I'd take the shorter commute.  You'll really appreciate that when the baby gets sick during the day at DC so you can get to LO right away.  Besides, that's not to say you won't have a work from home option in the future at the new campus.  I work at a university too and often my work from home day gets messed up by meetings or schedules of faculty that take priority over my day.  Besides, it's practically impossible to really work from home while baby is there.  (In fact, for me it's not allowed per our staff handbook.) 

MrsWindyCity

Tough call. How was your commute - usually on time, did you hate it, etc.? For me, I'd pick the day to WAH, but I take the train, so a 25 vs 50 minute commute is really not a big deal because I never deal with traffic and can do stuff on the train. Plus I think I would  make up for those 75 extra minutes commuting on my WAH day (since you will save 100 min commuting that day, you can throw in a load of laundry, etc.). If you really hate the commute, though, then I'd pick the shorter commute. ETA: I can't add, I guess it would be 150 extra minutes, lol.

ETA: If I were to WAH, I would still have child care. I'm  not sure if you meant you would be watching the baby. In that case, I would not do it. 

dglvrk2

DH and I have both "worked from home" with DD a few times.  It doesn't work well.....either DD is on her own a lot or our work does not get done.  I'd take the shorter commute.  We both have short commutes.  I wouldn't give it up for a day at home.  

cltk12

Shorter commute for sure if you're doing the exact same work.

Who knows, maybe after a month or so of being back, you can pitch for the WFH on Friday at the shorter commute place.

Like pp said, you don't get any work done if baby is home on that WFH day.  DH and I both WFH on Fridays and we still take DS to DC or else nothing would get done.

1026pumpkin

cltk12:

Shorter commute for sure if you're doing the exact same work.

Who knows, maybe after a month or so of being back, you can pitch for the WFH on Friday at the shorter commute place.

Like pp said, you don't get any work done if baby is home on that WFH day.  DH and I both WFH on Fridays and we still take DS to DC or else nothing would get done.

This- you'll save yourself almost an hour total each day in driving, which I think you'll really come to appreciate, and you'll be closer to home/schools if you have an emergency and need to go get the kids. 

iluvmylab

I'd take the shorter commute.  The university is not going to move, but they may change their minds about allowing you work from home later on down the road.  I hate driving though, LOL.  I hate my 25 minute commute from one suburb to another.

2chatter

Shorter commute.  I work from home and all three kids are in day care or otherwise cared for (after school my mom picks them up).  It's too distracted to handle a baby, preschooler or third grader - and my work also prohibits childcare for those of us who can WFH.

rubber_chicken

definitely the shorter commute.  i currently wfh 2 days a week, and we're looking to move closer to my company - i'd work in the office 5 days a week, but only have a 10 minute commute, which would equal more time with baby than i have now!

EastCoastBride

mrsdelcastillo:

I could be with the baby

Be careful about this expectation!  I WFH one day a week and it si VERY clearly stated that I have to have childcare.  And really- as your baby grows up, as you should know, the idea of really getting work done while taking care of your child isn't going to happen.

I LOVE my WFH day, but I think I'd opt for the shorter commute.  I have about a 25 min commute and I work 7:45 - 4:15.  I beat rush hour on both ends and I feel that I get a good amount of time at home w/ DS. 

LoCarb

another vote for shorter commute

Cheerio B

Shorter commute. That would make every day better, not just one.

brettsmama

I'm another vote for the shorter commute. Sounds like the only benefit to the longer commute is the one day working at home. But remember that means "working", so you still won't have that as good quality time with your little ones.

jf198400

Absolutely go for the shorter commute.  At my last job I had an hour commute each way, and it was horrible.  I finally had to switch jobs to get something closer to home.  Now I work 20mins from home and it so sooooooo much easier!  I feel like I have so much more time at home each day and so much less stress of dealing with traffic.  I have worked at home with the kids home (with my mom there babysitting) and it is very difficult to be productive.