Telecommuting Basics

Should you let employees work from home?

Need to boost employee morale? Consider a telecommuting program. In addition to reducing pollution and increasing employee productivity, telecommuting can reduce your energy and leasing expenses.

Before you implement a telecommuting program (or ask to work from home yourself), keep these seven considerations in mind:

Wondering about the feasibility? If the job's measurable, it can be done out of the office. So says Mark Andrews, Vice President of Business Development for the Clark County Credit Union of Las Vegas. Out of sight does not necessarily mean out to lunch. In fact, the truth is often just the opposite. Andrews found that a telecommuting program in his office led to better performance and increased productivity.
Start small. The Consumer Electronics Association recommends trying out a test program with ten to fifteen employees.
Lay down the law, writes Renuka Reyasam of ZDNet. This includes specifying how often employees should come to the office, as well as how meetings will be conducted, technical problems addressed, and performance objectives evaluated.
Not sure if you or one of your employees is telecommuting material? For $10, the American Telecommuting Association offers a packet of information that includes an "Affinity Index" that helps people evaluate their suitability for the work–at–home life.
To keep alive the sense of community created by an office, consider having telecommuting employees or work teams gather every few weeks to stay in touch and keep apprised of each other's efforts. While emailing, faxing, and phoning are usually more than adequate for the day–to–day demands of work, face–to–face interaction is still important.
Work out how the expense of home office equipment will be shared. Joice Wendell, a research psychologist for the General Services Administration paid for her DeskJet printer, second phone line, fax machine, and her scanner, while the GSA paid for her computer, computer monitor, Zip drive, Microsoft Office and antivirus software, voice mail and call forwarding, and long–distance credit card.
Don't let ergonomic concerns go by the boards. Set up a workstation that is kind to your joints and tendons.