While telecommuting has proven effective for employees regularly working from home, it also provides much needed solutions to work interruptions in a variety of special circumstances.

Bad weather conditions, injuries and illnesses seem to be times when employees get the chance to telecommute - not necessarily by choice or true desire to telecommute, but as the only way to get their work done.

Making arrangements for telecommuting ahead of time in particular situations allows companies to plan their response and manage inevitable occasions when the normal work condition is interrupted. This makes it possible for companies to assure continual operations and maintain organizational productivity.

Setting up an approved telecommuting format and structure gives the employee written policies and procedures to refer to and rely on when a situation arises.

Situations that can be dealt with by the development of standards for the telecommuting activity include:

• Short-term telecommuting: time away from the office is needed to recuperate from surgery, illness, or pregnancy. For example, an employee with a minor but contagious illness, such as a cold, could complete work tasks from home. By working outside of the office, the contagious worker limits other workers' exposure.
  
• Periodic or intermittent telecommuting: term and infrequent situations. For example, when bad weather is predicted work can be brought home in anticipation hazardous traveling conditions.

Telecommuting can have a significant effect on short-term needs. Having a formal telecommuting plan is effective, efficient and practical strategy serving both short-term and unplanned situations, which minimizes the impact of particular workflow interruptions.

For more information contact James Lush at Rideworks. Call 1-800-255-7433,
email: [email protected]