Anyone else work in the northern Va/dc area that is remote?

Submitted by thedesignerr t3_zufxux in ColumbiaMD

Just want to rant that yes I understand that people commute from this area to the dc area all the time. And if you work in DC, you can take the MARC and that’s the best option. But if you work in northern Virginia, the commute is HORRENDOUS. especially if you have to do it daily. Or even 3 times a week. I used to live in nova and I moved Catonsville during the pandemic. My office is in Tyson’s corner. I spoke to my bosses and I was able to go full time remote because at the time I did not want to come into the office 5 times a day. Well recently my work went hybrid 2-3 times a week and no one at my office is allowed to go remote anymore as of now. Of course it’s a huge issue and everyone keeps asking me how I Managed to go remote. As if I somehow did something wrong. And I have to keep explaining to them that I live in the Baltimore area now and the commute is just not it. I would be miserable. But idk I am so tired of explaining to people that Baltimore area is not as close as it seems especially w the traffic! If I was working in DC I would opt for the MARC. But Tyson’s does that have that option. I would rather be completely remote and just come in when needed. Of course people at work think I somehow went around the system because they aren’t able to go remote anymore. And I am not THAT far. Anyone else having this isssue? Are you driving in from this area to nova for work or did you go remote? And how do you handle it? It’s like people don’t understand how far it actually is when you are commuting. And I am tired of explaining it because I feel like I am defined by that now. So ridiculous. If I was closer, I would go in. It’s not like I got away with anything. I was just smart to ask for remote. Sad that offices are forcing people to come in but what can we do.
Anyways that’s my rant and am Wondering if anyone else is dealing with this.

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TimbersawDust t1_j1j08fh wrote

Are you having to explain to coworkers? I’m confused by what the overall motive is of your post. I completely sympathize with long commutes in this area. If you are remote, and it works for you and your employer, that’s all that really matters. You shouldn’t have to justify it to anyone. Sometimes optics are more important than productivity, which could be the reason why many places are requiring more in-person work. I encourage anyone to advocate for telework. You’ve done nothing wrong and if you are getting your work done, it shouldn’t matter where it gets done.

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thedesignerr OP t1_j1j3eas wrote

Yep I am getting my work done and actually more work now since I’m remote. I have to explain it to them because where I work, they are no longer allowing people to go remote status as they want people coming into the office. They are old school. They aren’t even hiring remote workers anymore. The requirement is that if you get hired you have to come in 3 times a week. Which will make it harder for them to find people, and so many people left. It’s like a stigma. So even if someone lived in this area, if they never asked to be remote prior to going hybrid, they have to come in. I was smart and I hopped on it as soon as I could before the rules changed. I don’t owe anyone anything as they know I am getting my work done. It’s just so much confusion. Like everyone is confused as to how I got it. And the questions are annoying. Having to explain where I live and why. Honestly I just wanted to vent and wanted to know if anyone in this area had a similar situation.

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Metzger4Sheriff t1_j1jisya wrote

I'm in a similar situation. It's a pain, but one thing that I *think* helps is to still go in like once a month. It's not always practical, and it actually makes it harder for me to get work done, but it at least gives people the perception that "oh, metzger does come in with they have to."

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In any case, they should be mad at the employer, not you. I would tell you to tell them that, but considering your employer has the ridiculous policy in the first place, they'd probably be more inclined to take your ability to work remote away rather than extend it to others.

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thedesignerr OP t1_j1kwu0m wrote

It is definitely crazy. People are leaving because of it but what can we do. As long as I can keep my status remote, I would be happy. And yes my original plan was to go in once a month or come in for those all hand meetings or larger team meetings or important bigger projects. Just to show face. Unfortunately. That I can do. As long as it stays like that! Haha

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OneFrabjousDay t1_j1j8uv6 wrote

I commuted Columbia to Reston for 2 years, way back in the 90s. Just sucked. Beltway was like a Mad max scene, and you spend 3+ hours a day in your car. Sucks.

Been working remote (3 different companies) since 2000, never looked back.

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Sure_Comparison6978 t1_j1jtm76 wrote

I go into dc once a week, much better than going to Tysons Corner. I’ve been experimenting with the different routes. Columbia fortunately does have multiple commuting options, including the commuter bus which people don’t talk enough about, it’s a great service that can take you straight to DC from Colombia non stop. But regardless of commute option, I definitely wouldn’t want to do it every day…once a week is enough for me.

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thedesignerr OP t1_j1kwkq9 wrote

Yeah I think getting into DC is much easier or more accessible than getting to nova! I wish they had similar options for nova, that would be a game changer!

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Sure_Comparison6978 t1_j1lu5ak wrote

You might be able to take commuter bus to a metro station, then ride on silver line to Tyson’s Corner.

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FrankieHellis t1_j1ixiww wrote

I know the pain. I have clients in the Nova area and I dread going, no matter what time of day. Generally, as soon as you get to Silver Spring, you become backed up. And god forbid there is an accident!

Be thankful you are remote. When you are asked, just say it is/became a fully remote position.

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kylennium29 t1_j1kq7yl wrote

I commute to DC 4-6 times a week, thankfully it’s to Georgetown so it’s not terrible as I can avoid downtown and major highways (Also means Marc/metro not a realistic option). But it’s not the best… I can theoretically do 80+% of my job remote but I’m in charge and I just need to be there. Hopefully I can work towards keeping it on the 4 day side most often.

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thedesignerr OP t1_j1kwfwg wrote

Oh wow that’s a lot! How long on average is your commute to get there?!

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kylennium29 t1_j1kyq9t wrote

Luckily I’m typically off rush hour. Work a lot of 10-6, some 12-8 and even some 5-1. Usually around 55 minutes each way. Those 5am drives are about 44 minutes though. A bad drive is 1.25-1.5 hours.

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inline4addict t1_j1j0yqb wrote

I feel your pain. Baltimore isn’t that far away to your salty coworkers who live in DC/NOVA. But to a friend or family member, Baltimore is too far of a drive or too dangerous to travel to.

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nahxela t1_j1j5t4m wrote

I used to commute the other way, with my work being in Columbia. On the way back, I'd go 29 -> 495, but I would just go to a Starbucks for a few hours instead of getting on 495 during peak rush hour traffic. I will forever hate the spur.

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earnt1t t1_j1kgngv wrote

The idea that we in Columbia can commute to Tyson’s or further for work is insane. It’s not many miles but all those hours in traffic is wild. Ask your employer for relocation assistance or allow remote work.

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thedesignerr OP t1_j1kwdco wrote

Right!!! It’s crazy. I am remote thankfully, but for some reason they think it’s easy for me to come in. And that I should be coming in more often. I was able to be full time remote and hopefully it will stay that way but the company is going to be hybrid, 3 days a week in office, so I hope it doesn’t become an issue.

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poolking25 t1_j1l26ra wrote

I would try to adjust hours to avoid traffic as much as possible. Go in early and leave early. Or go in late and leave late. As long as you catch your main meetings

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