On The Road To Telecommuting - posted by Day Tooley
As an employee, I now have an array of common technology that enables me to do what I do from where I am without having to go to the office. Here's the list:
- Telephone (Land-line or Cell. I've got both.)
- Computer (Mine is a desktop. A laptop would be even more useful.)
- Broadband Internet connection
Pretty short list and mostly paid for by me. I supply the desk, light, heat, snacks and other home office components in a space that I formerly called my den. Sitting at home, I can respond to email, call customers or colleagues on the phone, receive incoming business calls (automatically forwarded to my phone), listen to voicemail, and operate my office computer from my home computer. In fact, I am doing that now. From my perspective, I am bringing my office to me. From my employers perspective, I am at the office doing my job. Telecommuting 2 days per week reduces my gasoline costs by 40% and returns wasted commuting time to precious family time. I can do my job even when my child is ill and home from school. Or a nasty snow or ice storm makes travel impossible. Or after dinner when there can be uninterrupted time to do that project or report. What benefits to your company might be possible with some telecommuting? Here are four:
- Competitiveness A primary goal for many companies has been to enable employees to be closer to customers or clients. For this goal, employees must be mobile, and they need to be equipped with the technology to work from the anytime, anywhere office. In this way, they can have access to the company’s network and data base as they work with their customer at the customer’s location, or at any other location such as a hotel room, an airport, or at home.
- Productivity Closely related to the above is the goal of enabling increased productivity. Time gained through eliminating or reducing the time spent commuting or making extra trips to the office evenings or weekends can be used for productive work. Telecommuters also find that their productivity is enhanced when they can work in an environment free of office interruptions and distractions.
- Recruitment and Retention Utilizing remote work can also be a strategy for recruiting and retaining the best talent, particularly in industries or geographic areas where obtaining talent is extremely competitive.
- Cost Avoidance Telecommuting can also be used as a strategic way of avoiding costs that would be incurred otherwise. A fast-growing company may find itself outgrowing its offices but for business reasons may be reluctant to build or lease more space.
Yes, there are employment agreements, HR considerations, worker's compensation and general trust issues. But you likely have opportunity within your company to benefit from having some employees on the telecommuting road.
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