Re: It was mentioned here once in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19617354 en Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:43:56 EDT Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:43:56 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617968 MrMaster :
said by TheWickerMan See Profile :

said by MrMaster See Profile :

You didn't own a PC to begin with?
This was ages ago, back around '95 or so. I had been thinking about getting one for awhile, but had been unable to afford it. But after countless times where I had to go back in to work because something blew up in the middle of the night, going another couple grand into debt didn't seem so bad.

I ended up buying a Packard Bell (I didn't know any better at the time) for about $2000. Back then, those cheap $300 Dells you see at Wal-Mart didn't exist.
You don't have to remind me. I paid $2500 for my Gateway P120 in 1995 as my high school graduation gift to myself. Was the fastest computer money could buy. Too bad it was out of date by my JR yr in 1998.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617968 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:53:06 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617830 David : Well if it sits on my desk in the office there's no TV down there. I guess I would qualify. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617830 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:29:20 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617778 Goober :
said by TheWickerMan See Profile :

said by David See Profile :

Could even claim it as a tax write off because it would be needed for me to work.
Not necessarily, at least not according to the person who did my taxes the one year.

At my job, we're allowed to connect from home to resolve production issues after hours (but not during our regular shift, hopefully someday.) I did not own a PC before they started allowing this, and I got tired of having to drive in every time something blew up in the middle of the night, so I went out and bought a PC.

Like you, I thought I'd be able to write it off as a business expense, but they told me it's only allowed if you have a room in your house that's designated as an office, and if there's anything like a TV in it, then it can't be considered an office. I wonder if it's the same for a radio or CD player, because then half the offices at my job are not offices by definition.
Two different things. For a home office deduction, that's true. But, if the equipment is neccessary to do your job and the company won't buy it for you, you can claim it on your taxes.

I'm not 100% certain since it's been years since I looked into these matters.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617778 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:19:25 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617650 TheWickerMan :
said by MrMaster See Profile :

You didn't own a PC to begin with?
This was ages ago, back around '95 or so. I had been thinking about getting one for awhile, but had been unable to afford it. But after countless times where I had to go back in to work because something blew up in the middle of the night, going another couple grand into debt didn't seem so bad.

I ended up buying a Packard Bell (I didn't know any better at the time) for about $2000. Back then, those cheap $300 Dells you see at Wal-Mart didn't exist.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617650 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:58:10 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617460 MrMaster :
said by TheWickerMan See Profile :

said by David See Profile :

Could even claim it as a tax write off because it would be needed for me to work.
Not necessarily, at least not according to the person who did my taxes the one year.

At my job, we're allowed to connect from home to resolve production issues after hours (but not during our regular shift, hopefully someday.) I did not own a PC before they started allowing this, and I got tired of having to drive in every time something blew up in the middle of the night, so I went out and bought a PC.

Like you, I thought I'd be able to write it off as a business expense, but they told me it's only allowed if you have a room in your house that's designated as an office, and if there's anything like a TV in it, then it can't be considered an office. I wonder if it's the same for a radio or CD player, because then half the offices at my job are not offices by definition.
You didn't own a PC to begin with? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617460 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:28:45 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617354 en102 : Change in management always comes with a change in process.
I've seen this happen in every level of management during management changes/corp mergers, etc.
What was good for one is bad for the other.
This is partially an 'alpha male' shake up (i.e. I'm here, I've got to make changes to be noticed, and make my presence known/justify my position) more than actual time/productivity studies. Most large companies would outsource a that kind of thing, and it may not even fit their corporate lifestyle.

I've had one manager that stated 'I need all my team in the office', and another manager that didn't want anyone in the office. Most of my team is across a few states, with at max 3 people in one location, and management isn't even in the same state as any of us. We're reached by cell (Nexthell) and MS communicator.
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Canada = Hollywood North]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617354 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:12:33 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617280 TheWickerMan :
said by David See Profile :

Could even claim it as a tax write off because it would be needed for me to work.
Not necessarily, at least not according to the person who did my taxes the one year.

At my job, we're allowed to connect from home to resolve production issues after hours (but not during our regular shift, hopefully someday.) I did not own a PC before they started allowing this, and I got tired of having to drive in every time something blew up in the middle of the night, so I went out and bought a PC.

Like you, I thought I'd be able to write it off as a business expense, but they told me it's only allowed if you have a room in your house that's designated as an office, and if there's anything like a TV in it, then it can't be considered an office. I wonder if it's the same for a radio or CD player, because then half the offices at my job are not offices by definition. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617280 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:01:46 EDT Re: It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617246 anon : They aren't interested. In the fast-paced consumer driven telco world, people need to be able to be reached on demand. Reliably. Every single time. To AT&T (and plenty of other companies), this means a measure of control over where you are. Namely in their office by your assigned phone.

Maybe they just don't get it, but maybe they do, and believe that some jobs just aren't meant for telecommuting. I'd have to think AT&T has done plenty of time/productivity studies, and must truly believe telecommuting just isn't right for them at the moment.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617246 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:56:49 EDT It was mentioned here once http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617170 David : About the possibility of us being able to telecommute. Since then I haven't heard anything about it. It's been to the PMEI meetings, so it's not like it hasn't come up for us here.

Personally I would like to see it.

I think the company would save money on electrical power and equipment as well. After all I can supply my own pc, monitor and keyboard. I think the one of 7 I have in the house I can find something up to par.

I need a machine that just has company links on it? No problem! Got that covered, I would even build it this week and have it ready by next. Wouldn't even take me that long. Need it even quicker? No problem! I have an IBM A31p laptop (currently docked & locked) that barely has anything on it currently. I can clean that thing off and use it.

Either way I got it covered... Considering the gas savings I could drop about $500 for a newer machine and make it back up before summer of next year. Could even claim it as a tax write off because it would be needed for me to work. Even better yet!
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Koetting Ford, Granite City, illinois... YOU'RE FIRED!!
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19617170 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:43:52 EDT