译/魏新俊

What Is Telecommuting?什么是远程办公？

译/魏新俊

Telecommuting, also known as teleworking, is the act of working from a remote location, usually one’s home. This is made simple with the use of various telecommunications technologies such as a telephone,fax machine and the internet. Many telecommuters are also set up with web conferencing capabilities, allowing them to sit in on1sit in on旁听（课程），列席（会议）。office meetings via modem and webcam, or at the very least, a conference call.

[2] In most cases, telecommuting equipment is provided by the company,though it’s up to the teleworker to provide an office space free of distraction. For the worker, the benefits are many. Most enjoy the flexibility of working their own hours, at their own pace, as long as all deadlines are met2meet the deadline赶上最后期限，按时交差。. There’s also the ability to work in one’s pajamas or take breaks as needed to attend to3attend to致力于。personal family matters.

远程办公（telecommuting或teleworking），是指远距离，通常是在自己家里工作的方式。随着电话、传真机和互联网等各种电信技术的应用，这种办公方式变得简单易行，并具有网络会议功能，远程工作者可以通过调制解调器和网络摄像头出席办公会议，或者至少可以参加电话会议。

[2]在大多数情况下，虽然不受干扰的办公空间由远程办公人员自己选定，但远程办公设备还是公司提供的。对于工作者来说，益处很多。只要如期完成任务，大多数人可按照自己的节奏，享受灵活的工作时间。还能穿着睡衣工作，或者根据需要安排时间处理个人家庭事务。诸如交通费、午Money is saved on expenses such as commuting, lunch or snacks, clothing,and daycare.餐或快餐费、服装费和日托费之类的费用便节省下来。

[3] The flip side4the flip side反面，对立面。to this is the lack of camaraderie; telecommuting can be rather lonely. By missing out on5miss out on错失。the office gossip6office gossip办公室里的八卦，办公室的闲聊。and small company meetings, the worker can also miss out on vital pieces of information. Even though most people enjoy working without a micromanaging supervisor looking over their shoulders7look over one’s shoulders小心提防，在旁监督。, they also admit it’s difficult for them to get a proper review when their employers can’t see them on a day-to-day basis8on a day-to-day basis按日计算。. It’s difficult to stand out in an organization or be a team player9a team player合作意识强的人，有团队精神的人。when you’re not there everyday.

[4] Telecommuting not only enables an employee the convenience of working at home, it also allows the employer to save money on certain overhead expenses such as utilities.In addition, since telecommuters are happier, they’re often more productive;they may spend more time working than their office working counterparts who tend to spend more time on lunch breaks or chit-chatting around the coffee maker. Absenteeism is less common because sick workers still work at home, and they put in longer hours because they never leave their office.

[3]但随之产生的问题就是同事情谊的缺失；远程办公可能会很寂寞。错过办公室里的闲聊八卦和公司里的小型聚会，工作者就会错过一些至关重要的信息。尽管大多数人不喜欢事无巨细的主管在旁边监督他们工作，但是他们也承认，自己很难从老板那里获得一个公正的评价，因为不是天天在老板的眼皮底下工作。如果你每天都不在场，那么就很难在组织中脱颖而出或者成为有团队精神的人。

[4]远程办公不仅能使员工享受在家工作的便利，还能够让雇主节省水电费之类的费用。此外，由于在家工作的人更快乐，他们往往更富有成效；他们可能会花更多的时间去工作，而与之相比，办公室工作的同行们则花更多的时间在午餐休息上或者围着咖啡机闲聊。缺勤现象更少见，因为即便生病，远程工作者仍然在家里工作，而且他们投入的时间更长，因为他们从不离开自己的办公室。

[5] If you’re easily distracted or like to procrastinate, telecommuting may not be a good choice for you. If you’re self-motivated and don’t need constant supervision, it can provide an excellent opportunity. If you have a proven record10a proven record有优秀业绩，有良好的记录。with your organization, you’re a good candidate for this type of job. If you have a reputation for slacking off,however, it would probably be unwise to approach your employer about11approach sb about ...就……向某人提出要求。working from home.

[6] There’s usually no harm in approaching your employer about working from home. Research the pros and cons12the pros and cons赞成与反对。and be prepared to sell yourself13sell oneself推荐自己。. Just leave out the part about working in your pajamas.

[5]如果你容易分心或喜欢拖延，远程办公可能不是你的理想选择。如果你上进心强，不需要持续的监督，它就可以为你提供一个绝佳的机会。如果在单位有良好的记录，那么你就是做这类工作的合适人选。然而，如果你有懈怠的毛病且为人所知，那么向雇主提出在家工作的要求或许是不明智的。

[6]向雇主提出在家工作的要求通常没有害处。权衡利弊得失，做好毛遂自荐的准备。暂且不要提穿着睡衣工作的事。

（译者单位：中国药科大学外语学院）