Dear Ed,
I commute about an hour-and-a-half to my magazine’s office every day, and my crappy per-day rate is barely enough to cover my expensive commuting costs. So much of my job (researching, writing and social networking stuff) can be done from home. Seriously, most days, I don’t even see my editor because we sit on opposite sides of the office! Can I ask her to let me work from home from now on?
Thanks,
Sick of the train, New Jersey
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Dear Sick,
For one reason or another, your editor wants you to come to the office; otherwise, she would have posted for a work-from-home employee. Maybe it’s easier for your editor to have you in the office in case she needs you. Maybe your job responsibilities are going to change soon and will require you to be in the office. Maybe it’s against the magazine’s rules to have editors working from home. If you ask to work from home, there’s an almost 100% chance that the answer will be no, and your question could annoy your editor, especially if you bring up your commute.
For all you know, her commute is longer and even more expensive than yours. If your commute is killing you, consider moving closer to work or finding another job (Ed knows—easier said than done). Just remember that how you get to work isn’t your editor’s problem, and for your next job, consider how your quality of life will be before you accept.
Love,
Ed
