| > | | | | a little less money if they hadthe opportunity to |
| Copyright © 2004, Vishal P. Rao | | | | telecommute. This can truly be a win-winsituation for |
| There are many mistaken definitions of what | | | | the employer and employee. |
| telecommutingmeans. The very name gives the | | | | 4. Less distraction equals more work. |
| impression of someoneanswering work telephone calls | | | | It's no secret that often the hardest place to work is |
| from home or typing furiouslyaway at their computers. | | | | atthe office. There is a world of distractions there |
| Traditionally, telecommuting meant that an employee | | | | rangingfrom ringing telephones to chatty co-workers. |
| waslinked from home to their company's computer | | | | Eventelecommuting part of the time can reduce these |
| network. Buttoday telecommuting is much broader | | | | distractionsand make work more efficient. And if |
| than that and reallyincludes anyone who does even a | | | | everyone comes to theoffice at least one common |
| portion of his or her workat home. This can include the | | | | day a week, meetings and reviewsessions can be |
| computer or telephone work thename implies, but it | | | | held on this day and the rest of the weekleft for more |
| can also mean researching, working ondrawings, or | | | | intense work. |
| performing other types of information analysis. | | | | There are some challenges to telecommuting for |
| Telecommuting really is as simple as a person working | | | | bothemployees and their companies, but if you really |
| fromsomewhere outside the office. | | | | want totelecommute most of these can be handled |
| There is also a misconception among many of today's | | | | with a few simplestrategies: |
| workersthat you have to own a business to work | | | | 1. Communicate. |
| from your home. Thisjust isn't always the case | | | | If your employer feels face-to-face communication |
| anymore. More and more people areable to perform | | | | isimportant for your business, suggest that all of |
| their jobs from home. Now more than ever | | | | theemployees come to the office on at least one |
| thebusiness world is realizing the variety of | | | | common day aweek. Meetings can be held on these |
| benefitstelecommuting can have on companies and | | | | days, and you can goover what you've accomplished |
| their personnel. | | | | while on your telecommutingdays. |
| Exactly what are the benefits of telecommuting? Here | | | | 2. Set and track goals and progress. |
| arejust a few: | | | | One of the biggest fears of employers when it comes |
| 1. Less time for commuting means more time with the | | | | to theidea of telecommuting is that they don't have |
| family. | | | | any way tomonitor what the employee is doing |
| Even if a worker's commute is only 30 minutes each | | | | through the workday. Ittakes a lot of trust to assume |
| way,which isn't much in today's business world, not | | | | an employee is hard at workwhen they are out of the |
| having totake this commute can add an extra 5 hours | | | | boss's sights. Help eliminate thisconcern by coming up |
| a week anemployee can spend with his or her family. | | | | with ways to track and share yourprogress. This will |
| This is 5 hoursthe employee wasn't previously working | | | | also help you make sure you are makingthe most of |
| or doing personalthings. Just 5 hours of dead time | | | | your opportunity while still fulfilling yourwork |
| during the week gettingfrom one spot to another. | | | | responsibilities. |
| 2. Telecommuting can also provide a person with the | | | | 3. Delineate between your workspace and your |
| abilityto handle personal appointments without having to | | | | personal space. |
| takeentire days off. | | | | It's just good practice to have a spot designated for |
| Employees can take an hour or two through the day | | | | yourwork. Even if it is the kitchen table, set yourself up |
| to go todoctor appointments or school conferences | | | | inthe morning and pack your things back up in the |
| close to theirhomes and simply make up the time later | | | | evening whenwork time is finished. This will help you |
| in the day. This canequal higher productivity for | | | | stay on track whenworking, and not be tempted to |
| employees. | | | | work when it is your personaltime. It will also serve as |
| 3. Less commuting can reduce an employee's costs. | | | | an indicator to your family ofwhen you are working |
| For many of today's employees, the price of gas and | | | | and preferably not to be disturbed. |
| carmaintenance is on the rise. These costs associated | | | | If you are looking for more information on |
| withgoing to the office can be greatly reduced by | | | | telecommuting,such as how to approach your boss |
| telecommutingeven a couple of days a week. Many | | | | with the idea, you cancontact The American |
| workers today even saythey would take a job making | | | | Telecommuting Association for some moreinformation. |