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HR Hot Topics |
Telecommuting
Telecommuting started in California in the 1970s to reduce traffic and save the earth, but it’s not just an old hippie fad. Big companies and big government have embraced it, and millions of employees swear by it. Telecommuting involves working from just about anywhere besides a company’s main offices — including workers’ homes, clients’ facilities, and employer-owned satellite offices, and even from a hotel room while on the road. Related articles on Telecommuting Companies implement these programs for a host of reasons besides keeping employees happy or saving money on office space. One organization may see telecommuting as a way to stay in operation during natural disasters, epidemics, and other emergencies. Another may view it as a key recruiting tool or a way to keep employees closer to customers. The U.S. government, for example, began to formally look into telework with a pilot program in 1990. Uncle Sam wanted to see if it could help recruit, motivate, and retain employees while cutting costs for sick leave, facilities, and transportation. The pilot program showed telework arrangements worked well and provided significant benefits when implemented with the right employees — namely, proven high performers. Use of telecommuting grew. In late 2000, Congress enacted a law requiring federal agencies to set up policies for implementing telework and to dramatically increase the number of off-site workers. The movement toward telework became more crucial after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks underscored the need for continuity plans for emergencies. Another reason for heightened interest in telecommuting is simply that it’s become more cost-effective because of cheaper telecommunications and information technology — particularly the broadband connections that support high-speed Internet service. Surveys show that a significant number of people telecommute. Like any other workplace initiative, a telecommuting program requires careful forethought and planning to succeed. To understand and intelligently address the many issues that can arise with these programs, it’s important to understand the different kinds of telecommuting, the benefits of telecommuting, and how to capitalize on those benefits without falling prey to the potential downsides to off-site employees.
Related articles on Telecommuting from the State Employment Law Letters
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