Do you have employees requesting to telecommute to work a few days a week over the summer, or are you looking at telecommuting as part of an emergency response plan? New York City’s CommuterLink (www.commuterlink.com) offers these tips for teleworking success:
- Present helpful info. To get approval to telework, show your boss the benefit for the company and how you will meet each job requirement.
- Set the ground rules. Establish up front with your boss what work you will do at home and how you will stay in contact.
- Create an efficient workspace. Make sure you have a comfortable work area with all the necessary tools, including the right computer, software, internet connection, phone lines, etc.
- Start small. Try telecommuting 1 day a week to see if works for you and your company.
- Keep regular work hours. You are on official duty; make your time at home as regular as you would at the office.
- Be self-disciplined, motivated, and organized, even if no one is watching you.
- Be accessible by phone and computer. Your coworkers will appreciate that you are available when they need you.
- Minimize interruptions. Tell family members that you cannot be distracted when you are working.
- Come into work when needed. Be flexible enough [or make contingency plans] to come into the office if you need to.
- Plan ahead. Decide what work to bring home the day before you telework. Some tasks are better for telecommuting than others.