BALANCING LIFE’ ISSUES, INC. Managing Teleworkers

What do we mean by “teleworkers”? WFH Working from Home WAF Working at Home Telecommuting E-working E-commuting Nomad workers or web commuters Tele-work vs. telecommute

What might be some reservations? Loss of control Fear of others wanting to work from home Comfort level - easy access Arrangement imposed upon them Might even feel jealous Lack of training on how to manage

Realities of today’ workplace Tele-work part of standard business strategy Results in: -Increased productivity -Lower costs (e.g., office space) -Greater retention and loyalty -Recruiting the best people

Characteristics of Good Tele-managers Flexible administrative and managerial skills Ability to work with the big picture Knows how to fix problems quickly Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills Good rapport with workers Caring, supportive Earned the trust of their employees

Characteristics of Good Candidates Proven track record Understand organizational operations and culture Ability to work independently Responsible Strong work ethic Well respected Engenders the manager's trust

Potential Benefits to Managers Increased productivity -Motivated to keep arrangement -Fewer distractions -Less stress Increased hours of team coverage beyond 9-5 if necessary New opportunities to learn, grow and receive good evaluations

Manager Challenges Learning new skills and mastering new information Honing their administrative and organizational skills Honing their leadership skills Opening selves to new options The success of the telecommuting program is dependent on the entire team

Helping the Tele-worker Succeed Not micromanaging Being available and providing support as needed Addressing problems quickly and openly Ensuring inclusion in team activities Not overloading them with work Having reasonable expectations Teleworking takes a lot of self-dicipline, somebody has to really want to do it

Crafting a satisfactory Tele-working arrangement Job Responsibilities, Assignments and Evaluation Hours of work and availability Communication methods and times Planning for the home office Other

Take-aways and wrap up Issues and challenges Key take away Action plan