Remote Queries

Own_Worst_Enermy

Hi there,

I have what started out as a 100% remote job (quick start date) with my new employer base being around 300 miles return and just wanted to sound out a few things:
(I was a little apprehensive starting a new job with checking/screening bubbling away which lasts all of training pretty much) I'm also accepting it could be I'm not so suitable due to the targets/sales culture anyhow whilst trying to keep hold of the positives.  

I unexpectedly received the office equip prior to starting which was couriered out, there was no delivery/pick note to prove what was in the box to begin with - which I'll totally appreciate is a good few hundred pounds to receive including laptop, headset and desktop screen, however it was missing a mouse - no biggie as I had a spare and more first world problem would definitely be a broken screen in transit)

I'm slightly concerned I could end up billed for it missing, as a policy after delivery events I had to sign reads:
"Should your employment come to an end for any reason, you are required to return any and all equipment on loan to you within x working days to your nearest office.
(I'm fine with this) 

Equipment must be returned in a good condition and without modification. You will be charged for any damage to company property or if you fail to return equip to co."
So does that mean if I send back a mouse which differ from theirs, there could be trouble.

(Admittedly when asked to sign this, I did manage to state a note of no mouse.)

I did note at the bottom of this policy to sign, it also states: The company reserves the right to revoke the home working arrangements without notice to you and to require you to work from the office of the Company (or such other location as the co may require) does that means one Monday potentially out of the blue, they could say into the office on Tuesday?

I will of course definitely try to find this next one out, but there is a 2 week notice to book holiday, and it occurs to me today after seeing policy, what if emergency work goes on that takes down my broadband or my powers goes. (I know there are probably rare occasions but still happen)

Regarding the screening for the job - would I be right in thinking they would have to pay wages up to the point they terminate (if it came to it)
"Please note that this offer and continued employment is subject to satisfactory screening, which includes employment, credit and criminal record checks. Should any information provided be false or misleading then the Company reserves the right to immediately withdraw this offer, or where employment has started to terminate your employment with immediate effect and without notice or pay in lieu of notice."

I'm also aware with Christmas coming up, whilst not so professional, a lot of couriers will try buzzing my flat intercom for access into flat block, knowing I'm in now and quite dreading anyone knocking to take in parcels when could be on a call - so my question to other home workers - do you just put a note on the door? I can't move my car as there is no where else to park other then you're designated space as it were.

Sorry this has gone on, would welcome any insight.

elsien

If you’re busy then just don’t answer the bell. You don’t need to give a reason. Couriers aren’t going to be looking at your car and thinking you’re in. They’re going to be ringing all the bells, hoping they get an answer and going away again if they don’t. 

If you’ve already signed to say there was no mouse then you’re covered - they’re very unlikely to be accusing you of fibbing about something so trivial.

Do you have a work mobile - if yes and your broadband goes down then hotspot off that. Alternatively decamp to a friend/family spare room and use their WiFi.

You do seem to be overthinking this just a fraction.  

MovingForwards

Regarding deliveries I would say to the person I've got to grab the door, back in a second or keep talking to them and point to my headset so the postie knew I was on the phone.

Had it happen when I've contacted people and I accept it's part of WAH, also allows the chat to quickly change from business to "there's a human at the other end of the call".

I only had bad internet once and it was resolved the next day, old phone line connection to my flat and no one noticed at work as I quickly switched to doing stuff off my phone, waving it out the window for connection / service. My IT dept remote connected to the laptop one day to solve something else, ran a speed test as suggested I change my broadband provider, I said I would if the company paid for a different property as I was limited to phone line only.

Just remembered, BT do a WiFi spot thing, you can pay by the day.

Honestly, don't fret, companies are used to it by now.

f5morg

Can you see if you can claim back expenses on any wifi hotspot, personal overuse charges or purchase, like a temporary bt wifi hotspot etc. for if your broadband goes down? Could be worth asking about, might be reasonable for a large company. And also putting the mouse thing, and that you wrote that note, in an email if youre worried it hasn't been seen.

Marvel1

I treat door knockers etc as if in working in office etc I wouldn't be in to answer, so I'm not answering.

Mouse, you have told them and I would not be returning my own.

Own_Worst_Enermy

Thank you so very much everyone, as the week has gone on I've realised I've made the right choice with this job.

Nearly a week also into the background screening, with so far no news being considered good news, hope it stays this way.

But can I ask another random silly question - referencing -  would these show I now hold a remote position? 

Marcon

Own_Worst_Enermy said:

Thank you so very much everyone, as the week has gone on I've realised I've made the right choice with this job.

Nearly a week also into the background screening, with so far no news being considered good news, hope it stays this way.

But can I ask another random silly question - referencing -  would these show I now hold a remote position? 

Possibly. It's likely to become a point of interest to more employers given the move to remote working. 

Own_Worst_Enermy

Aha thanks, I just worried in my silly mind that my past employers who were non remote might be like well she didn't work remote for us! and try offer an opinion.  (suppose I always used to be anti work from home and got couple of job offers by saying I wouldn't want to work from home but I have seen the light) Though I suppose it could go other way, you could be at home and been not so well performing at home to which an ex Employer can then prove it, say you were going remote to remote, if they did want to be malicious about things. 

pjread

The vast majority of employers will respond to reference requests with nothing but objective facts.  e.g. job title, dates of employment etc.  That might include "home based" or "based in the London office" or whatever as a fact, but I can't think of any reason to be concerned about that.

If the door or phone goes and you're busy, leave it.  Frankly, that includes busy in the middle of anything, not just being on a call.  Don't worry about it.

Overall: Don't panic.

comeandgo

Regarding the mouse or lack of it.  Does your lap top have a touch pad?  I haven’t used a mouse for years.

Brie

Congrats on the new role!

Don't fret about internet being down - I've found that there is always something for me to do even without the internet - a document that needs reviewing or some training.  Generally it's not for long so that's when I have a break, get some lunch whatever.  We've had a policy of one week notice for hols but if someone suddenly find out that BT is doing some work locally or similar and they won't have a signal for several hours it's a bit of a given that they will have that as a holiday despite the lack of notice.  Often though there is a few days notice and people will say "can't work Wed because BT.....blah blah."  Better to say so and accept you use up a holiday then try to fake being busy when no one can contact you.