The Glass Ceiling is not just a gender or education-based obstacle, it can sometimes be created by career path choices. In our industry, a new Glass Ceiling is coming from Truss Designers deciding to pursue a Home-Based (Remote) position. By remote, we’re talking about at least 4 hours away from the plant or on-site office. While the perks of working from home are many, the job can kill advancement opportunities.
The largest concern my employers have about hiring remote designers is team cohesion. Even more than the team at the moment, however, is how that team will develop over time and how remote positions will affect advancement too. It’s hard to be promoted to Design Manager or a Design Team Supervisor position if you’re not in the office on a regular basis. “Where is my next Design Manager coming from” is a common question employers ask when I suggest hiring a remote designer. They want someone who they can get to know and mentor, see how they interact with people, and hopefully promote in the future.
If your goal is to retire as a remote truss designer in 5–25 years, no worries. Just be one of the best, go to work for a reputable company with benefits for your state (please not as a 1099 contractor for just one company), and hope your boss values you as much as in-office counterparts. Also, hope that your value isn’t diminished by the mass of people looking to make that jump too. Supply and demand will likely drive remote compensation down in the near future. Hope, for example, that when things get slow, you keep getting work at the same level as the in-office designers do. Hope that when it comes time to lay someone off, like in the slow season, it is merit-based, not because someone seen every day is perceived to be more loyal, more valuable, or a friend.
If you are hoping to grow and someday be promoted to a management position, or looking to maximize compensation, or build relationships that can result in better job security, the advantage is still in favor of the in-office designer. While not all remote designers are left hanging, it is a possibility that always will be present. Sure, the threat can be less with the more time that you spend on-site, so if you can get to the office each week your options may improve. And, you could resume full-time work in the office in the future. But, it can likely be a step back if others have been there for years, working their way up.
If you want to consider remote as an option, maybe discuss both options with your employer to see if the decision you make will end up with a glass ceiling. I am always here at The JobLine if you have any questions about either option, or how your experience and career goals can be affected. Considering all of the possible consequences will help ensure that you make an informed decision that best suits your career path.
Next Month:
Employers start using the remote option to lower overall design cost.