5 Timely Tips for Telecommuting
March 17, 2020
Whether your company already has a formal telecommuting policy or is just instituting one as a temporary measure, there are many ways to be productive while working from home. Here are five strategies to be a successful telecommuter:

1. Assess your technology and available resources. 

First time telecommuting? Figure out what you have and what you might still need. Work-from-home essentials include: 
  • A good high-speed internet connection
  • The ability to access the company files and resources you need to do your job
  • A quality headset with a microphone for making work calls
To enhance your productivity, there are also a number of low- or no-cost services like Google Hangouts or GoToMeeting that can help. And make sure you have the phone number and email for your company tech support handy in case you experience any issues.

2. Carve out a comfortable workspace. 

Even if you don’t have a dedicated home office, you can still set up a comfortable workspace. The key is keeping the supplies you need within reach so you can work as if you were in the office. This way, you won’t be searching for pens, pencils, a calculator, stapler, printer or whatever when you need them.

As for ergonomics, contrary to its name, a laptop used on your lap isn’t exactly the optimal posture, and it can lead to muscle strain. Find an area that’s well-lit where you can sit comfortably and have your computer at a good height on a stable surface. 

3. Establish a consistent workday routine. 

To get in the right mindset to work, many telecommuters feel more productive when they get up, shower, and get dressed as if they were going into the office. Of course, you’re at home, so unless you’re videoconferencing, you can wear whatever’s comfortable. At home, it’s also easy to take a break when you need it and stretch, or just regroup. Just try to avoid too many trips to the kitchen — many telecommuters report that it’s easy to fall into the habit of snacking too much.  

4. Just “to do” it. 

Because it’s easy to fall into your home habits instead of sticking to your work habits, make a to-do list. You can set both short- and long-term goals for yourself. Whether you use a productivity app or an old-fashioned calendar, give yourself time each day to plan what you need to accomplish and how you’ll do it.

5. Are you IN or OUT? 

Always let co-workers know when and how they can reach you when you are working at home, and tell your family and friends about your new working from home routine and working hours, too. That way you can set expectations so no one will be disappointed that you can’t visit, and your employer will be happy with your work. Explain when you will and won’t be available to take calls or visits, or help with homework. It’s all about finding the right balance. 
Remember that, whether a telecommuting program is formal or informal, it involves mutual trust between an employee and employer. Employers need to have faith that their employees will be as productive working remotely as they are in the office, and employees need to understand what’s expected of them. 

Fortunately, there’s evidence that working from home boosts productivity. In a recent survey, Connect Solutions (a private cloud solutions provider) found that 77% of the remote workers report that they are more productive while they telecommute and 30% said that they accomplish more in less time. Talk about a win-win.
This blog post originally appeared on the TransAction Associates blog, Driven. This content has been customized for Alewife TMA and is redistributed here with permission [source: https://www.transactionassoc.com/timely-tips-for-telecommuting].

Alewife TMA's Commuter Spotlight - February 2025

By Hanna Morris • February 4, 2025
Alewife TMA Commuter Spotlight: Sitaram Meena, PhD

No Red Line Service Between JFK/UMass & Braintree, Sep 6–29

By Hanna Morris • August 27, 2024
No Red Line Service Between JFK/UMass & Braintree, Sep 6–29 Free Shuttle Buses: During the shutdown, free shuttle buses will make stops at Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston, North Quincy, and Ashmont. Commuter Rail will be FREE between Braintree and South Station: Use the Middleborough/Lakeville and Kingston lines for service from Braintree. Use the Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston, and Greenbush lines for service from Quincy Center (except for during the weekend closures). MBTA personnel will be available to assist riders. Commuter Rail Weekend Closures: The weekends of September 7th–8th and 14th–15th Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree. Shuttles will run directly between South Staton and Braintree. At Quincy Center use Red Line Shuttle to Braintree to Connect to South Station. MBTA officials say once the track work is completed, it will improve round-trip Braintree Branch travel times by as much as 24 minutes, running service up to the maximum allowable speed of 40 miles per hour. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures.

Partial Red Line Closure - What You Need to Know

By Melissa Zampitella • July 12, 2024
Beginning at 8:15 PM on Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 28 there will be no Red Line trains running between Alewife Station and Kendall/MIT Station. The following options will be available: Free shuttle buses will make stops at all closed stations Express shuttle buses will stop at only Alewife, Porter, and Kendall/MIT A Shuttle Loop will operate from Harvard to Central to Kendall/MIT and back to Harvard. Free Commuter Rail between Porter Square and North Station plus an extra shuttle train (doubling Commuter Rail service) Five Free Bluebikes rides with code: MBTAREDJULY MBTA Bus #77 (Arlington Heights – Harvard) will be fare-free within Cambridge On weekdays evenings after 8:30 PM the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no red line service between Alewife and Park Street Shuttle buses will stop at all stations between Alewife and Part Street. On Weekends: July 13-14 : the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS July 20-21 : the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no service between Alewife and Park Street July 27-28: the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS  Shuttle buses will stop at all closed stations. Note : Riders needing to go beyond Park Street will need to transfer to another shuttle at Park Street to go on to JFK/UMASS. The Commuter Rail will be fare-free between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Braintree. The important thing to keep in mind is that there will be shuttle buses at all locations where Red Line service is closed. There will be signage and MBTA staff to assist riders in getting where they need to go. Below are a few good resources to find the most up-to-date information. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures

Alewife TMA's Commuter Spotlight - June 2024

June 3, 2024
Commuter Spotlight: Red Line Rider

Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here

May 2, 2024
Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here! Spring is in full bloom! The days are longer, tulips are popping up, and if you have allergies, you might be sneezing a bit more. But there's good news for cyclists: the warmer weather means it's time to get back on the road. May is National Bike Month , and there's plenty to be excited about for bike enthusiasts in Massachusetts. What is Bike Month? National Bike Month , established in 1956, is all about celebrating the joy of cycling, promoting its health benefits, and encouraging more people to give it a try. A key part of this celebration is Bike to Work Week, which falls in the third week of May, with Bike to Work Day on the Friday of that week. This year, Bike to Work Week is from May 13 to 19, with Bike to Work Day on May 17. What's Happening in Massachusetts for Bike Month? Massachusetts is a great place to be if you love biking, and Bay State Bike Month , hosted by MassBike , has a full schedule of events to keep you moving. If you're looking for group rides or ways to get involved, this is your go-to resource.

Green Wheels & Green Wallets - Changing Commutes Through Incentive Programs

February 21, 2024
We all know the question, “what’s in it for me?” It’s the eternal quandary that all marketers are on a mission to answer. If they can explain what’s in for me to do or buy something, their job is done. But what if we rolled that question on its head and asked, “what’s in it for you, and me, and even them? When it comes to a green or sustainable commute, there happens to be a LOT it in for you, me, your neighbor and the person who sits across from you on the T. For you, it’s more convenient and economical way to commute. For your neighbor or the person across from you on the T, you are helping the environment and reducing traffic congestion by using a sustainable travel mode and NOT driving alone in a car. For that action, we at the Alewife TMA believe you should be rewarded.

Alewife TMA 2023 Recap

January 29, 2024
Thank you to our members, partners, and green commuters who collectively made 2023 an excellent year for the Alewife TMA! Together, we celebrate the progress made towards sustainability in the Alewife & Fresh Pond area. Please take a moment to view our 2023 Recap which highlights the impact of the past year, We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in transforming our region into a space where multimodal transportations options are available for everyone.
mechanic next to car, text: Winter Car Maintenance and Safety Tips with Luis

Winter Car Maintenance and Safety Tips with Luis

By TransAction Associates • January 4, 2024
It's officially winter! Are you ready for the snow and ice? Is your car ready? Join Luis Mejia, Fleet Mechanic at TransAction Associates & Corporate Shuttles, as he shares some winter car maintenance and safety tips.

Member Spotlight - Longfellow Real Estate

December 7, 2023
The Alewife TMA was thrilled to meet with Erin Shields of Longfellow to discuss Longfellow's dedication to environmental sustainability and the value of TMA membership for the tenants and employees at 100/125/150 Cambridgepark Drive.

2023 Car-Free Day Was a Huge Success!

By TransAction Associates • October 26, 2023
World Car-Free Day 2023 was a huge success! Organized in a variety of ways around the globe, every event shared the unifying goal of reducing the number of cars on the road. The Alewife TMA participated in MassCommute's 2023 Car-Free Day, the Commonwealth’s Coalition of 15 TMAs to promote and celebrate Car-Free Day in Massachusetts. Commuters who participated helped to make a positive impact on the environment and contributed to a greener Bay State!
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