Managing Telecommuters

Managing Telecommuters Bobbie Keller North Dakota Department of Transportation

Would you rather Working Here • Benefits • Obstacles • Management • Productivity • Q & A Or here

Benefits • Recruitment and retention tool • more satisfied, dedicated employees • Balance of home and work commitments • flexible scheduling, may reduce leave time • Reduced air pollution, traffic congestion and fuel use • Potentially lower overhead costs • reduced energy costs if schedules allow • pandemic safe zones

Obstacles • Equipment needs • work stations, computers, networks, cell phones, copiers, dedicated home office • theft of equipment\data • Face to face and telephone contacts • out of the loop • scheduling meetings may be difficult • Supervision • supervisory input on problem audits • are they really working • home office distractions

Management • Basic Trust & Planning • new or existing employee - task orientated • voluntary, flexible, part\full time • Formal Policy\plan • defined expectations • big picture focus • weekly/monthly goals

Management • Macro-managing • training • work plan • milestones • Deadline • ensure work gets done • evaluations

Productivity • Generally increased • less commute time • less watercooler time • greater daily flexibility • quality of work product • weather difficulties avoided • may increase email and phone time

Resources • THE STATUS OF TELEWORK IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - 2007 REPORT http://www.telework.gov/Reports_and_Studies/Annual_Reports/2007_TeleworkReport.pdf • A Guide to Telework in the Federal Government http://www.opm.gov/pandemic/agency2a-guide.pdf

Managing Telecommuters