telecommuting

Telecommuting is an off-site work arrangement that allows employees to work at home or at a satellite location for all or part of the workweek. Telecommuting can shorten or eliminate your commute altogether.

To assess your job's telecommuting potential:

• List all your different job tasks that can be done away from the worksite.
• Estimate how long it takes to do those tasks each week.
• Identify whether those tasks must be performed daily, or if they can be grouped together and done in a single day from your home or satellite location.
• Assess whether you have the proper equipment at home and a suitable workspace.
• Evaluate your ability to work at home without being distracted.

Getting Ready to Telecommute 
 
Are your work style and personality suited to telecommuting?
Not everyone likes to spend hours at a time alone, and many people are stimulated by a formal work environment. The best telecommuters tend to be: 

• experienced at their job
• flexible
• self-motivated
• innovative
• self-disciplined
• able to concentrate alone
• well-organized

Will your employer allow you to telecommute?
If your employer doesn't allow telecommuting, propose a "pilot" program, in which you telecommute on a trial basis. Outline specifically how your employer will benefit, including increased productivity and lower employee absenteeism. Even then, many employers have valid reasons for wanting employees to work in the office.
Studies show that telecommuting:

• increases productivity by 15-30 percent
• improves morale
• reduces turnover and absenteeism
• reduces pollution and traffic congestion
• reduces overhead costs

Address Concerns
Review company policies before you begin. Many employers have developed telecommuting handbooks and policies that address concerns like equipment, liability, performance expectations and safety.

Understand your commitment
Some of the biggest concerns are equipment and expenses. Will you use your own computer or bring one home from your employer? Will you be reimbursed for phone calls? What about supplies such as computer paper, envelopes and postage? You and your supervisor should have a work plan for the tasks you'll accomplish off-site.

Begin Telecommuting

After you've obtained management's permission and have targeted a day to start telecommuting, you'll need to:

• Prepare your home workspace. Be sure you have adequate space, lighting and equipment. Make sure children and pets will not distract you while you are working. You can't take care of a toddler and work at the same time.
• Prepare your employer and co-workers. Take care of any loose ends at work, alert co-workers of your whereabouts and make sure you have all the papers, diskettes and other information you'll need to do your job at home.
• Don't forget your calendar and work plan! Stay in touch. Call your worksite often for messages and be sure that co-workers know how to reach you.