By Barbara DeGray
Feb. 16, 2012
To attract and retain skilled and creative employees, many companies are overlooking a perk that could help them snag top hires: The chance to work away from the office. All companies from small to large and across industries are able to offer this as a perk – with a plan in mind. Size should not dictate whether a company offers remote work or telecommuting. So what does it take?
Arrangements for one of your employees to work away from your office may be as simple as an Internet connection. Advances in technology and the ready access to websites, e-mail, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, electronic faxing and Internet phones have enhanced every company’s ability to offer employees the option of working from home or a remote location. Systems can now be set up that allow a virtual office. To customers, the connection is seamless, with quality services offered regardless of where your employee is located. For employees, the perks of working at home or at a remote location near home lead to perks for you as the employer. Remote employees enjoy shorter commute times, flexible work hours, comfortable work environments, privacy and reduced personal work expenses. Employers gain with enhanced productivity, expanded hours of operation, lower overhead costs, access to a larger pool of quality workers, stronger team collaboration and inspired creativity. Remote workers may also add to a company’s geographic accessibility to customers or resources.
Initiating and maintaining an individual employee or a group of employees in a home or remote office location does require planning and oversight. Some tips and insights gathered through personal experiences as an employee and as a manager in both office-based and home-based work environments include:
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Understand your company’s needs and the tasks of each employee.
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Be prepared to measure an employee’s contribution in clear qualitative and quantitative objectives. The number of hours worked by an employee is helpful when calculating payroll but should be viewed differently in a remote work setting.
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Provide internet accessible software with security features.