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What is Telecommuting?
Telecommuting, sometimes called teleworking, describes a flexible working arrangement that enables selected employees to work from home or other off-site locations at least one day per month. Telecommuting is a practice that can be used by companies of all sizes in a variety of industries. Telecommuting utilizes today's communications technologies to bring work to the worker, rather than the other way around.
Issues in the 1990s such as air pollution, population density, energy conversation and other challenges pressed businesses, companies and government to look closely at telecommuting as a new way of work. Some companies originally developed telecommuting programs in response to legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The increasing importance of productive and satisfied employees also primed telecommuting's entry into different levels of many companies.
Advancing technology continually allows easier communication between office and home. Telecommuters are able to link into their company's network and utilize the same web, email access and phone functionality as workers in the office.
Therefore, it makes sense for companies of all sizes to explore and fully understand the benefits and operational advantages of telecommuting so you can address relevant business issues and determine what you can gain by creating a telecommuting program.
Telecommuting is...
Telecommuting was once only an option for a few key employees. Today, it has spread to many levels within companies, with more individuals working off-site on a greater variety of tasks.- A flexible work arrangement that conveys respect to all employees
- A practice that provides evidence of management's willingness to try new practices to support employees' work-life balance
- A creative example of paying attention to employees as people, not just as employees
- A practice that challenges some traditional assumptions about where and when work should be done
- A practice that requires support be provided to managers to teach them management styles that work with telecommuters
- A practice that requires a certain level of trust exists between employees and management in order to be successfully implemented in a department or company
Issues in the 1990s such as air pollution, population density, energy conversation and other challenges pressed businesses, companies and government to look closely at telecommuting as a new way of work. Some companies originally developed telecommuting programs in response to legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The increasing importance of productive and satisfied employees also primed telecommuting's entry into different levels of many companies.
Advancing technology continually allows easier communication between office and home. Telecommuters are able to link into their company's network and utilize the same web, email access and phone functionality as workers in the office.
Therefore, it makes sense for companies of all sizes to explore and fully understand the benefits and operational advantages of telecommuting so you can address relevant business issues and determine what you can gain by creating a telecommuting program.
