Regarding telecommuting to Europe from North America, my gut response is "Nope -- wouldn't work."

That's based on my experience while working in Germany in 1980 -- at 4pm on Fridays, we would down tools (well, step away from our keyboards) and have a wonderful little party with snacks, beer and wine. The artificial pecking order would disappear, and we'd all chat as equals, hearing about the news, the families, our plans for the weekend.

My brother is currently working in Italy, and described a colleague who talked about who she knew in the business on their first meeting. He thought that was odd, then as he met more people discovered that this was a way of people showing their bona fides.

Thus, from these scant two examples, I'm left with the impression that social relationships appear more important in Europe than they are in North America, which would suggest that telecommuting (working without much face to face social interaction) wouldn't work.

The other, relatively minor detail is that Europe is six to ten timezones ahead of North America, so unless one was working on a totally independent project, it would be a graveyard shift kind of job.

Hi thalexb, I'm happy to hear you have spent nice time in Germany in 80ies as I'm currently living and working in Germany. I just want to warn you that times have changed and you most likely will find no Friday afternoon party anymore in most german offices.

Sure it depends on a company and there are for sure some lucky guys who are still working like a family but most of the time there is a pretty dry atmosphere. I would say spanisch, italian and french people are more like you described: they are very interested on social contacts and spend a lot of time talking about their interests.

Don't worry, Europe is for sure amazing and you should take a chance to spent some time here if you find a job or have enough money to stay here without working. Just be aware of time is changing and (this is always the best) don't carry any expectations with you.

Certainly can work, it is difficult though (for the record I am in the UK, but work with people in Toronto).

The time difference is the main problem, if both sides want to work '9-5' style hours, because getting face time is difficult. In a similar vein that back and forth of 'I am trying this, but it isn't working -- any ideas?' becomes very difficult and you need to be much more organised and utilise what direct communication time you do have.

I am not sure about the legal issues, but I have a friend who runs an IT business and he tele-employs people all over the world (inc. Australia and US), but works from the UK. I am sure there are tax issues, but they can be overcome... Like I said, the main issue is organisation and communication, but with hard work and clear rules and openness it is certainly possible.

The increasing amount of ways to connect (Skype etc...) does make all this easier though...

Just my two pence/cents.

^†What often happens with foreign telecommuters is that the business creates a small daughter company in the country the telecommuters work in, and hires the telecommuters via the local daughter company.