Telecommuting

the long version

Organizations of all sizes and types are finding that flexible work policies offer concrete benefits for both telecommuting employees and the organization. Employees are more productive and loyal, absenteeism decreases, overhead is reduced, and environmental regulations are easier to meet. In fact, ever-increasing advances in telecommunications and the accompanying cost savings suggest that telecommuting will soon become a necessity for companies that wish to stay competitive. Part I of Telecommuting provides all the information needed to familiarize the manager with all aspects of telecommuting including its benefits and potential pitfalls; the variety of programs that can be chosen such as flextime, flexiplace, and remote work centers; and examples from private and public sector organizations that have been on the forefront of flexible work. Joel Kugelmass discusses the selection of workers and jobs that are compatible with flexible work, security and insurance issues, as well as the technologies of telecommuting. In Part II, Kugelmass provides the manager with a ten-step plan for setting up and implementing a successful telecommuting program. Kugelmass offers detailed advice on conducting the initial discussions of telecommuting, goal-setting, group structuring, budgeting, training managers and telecommuters, formalizing telecommuting agreements, resolving problems, and, finally, evaluating the program. Telecommuting is not without its risks, but rather than shy away from them, Kugelmass shows how they can be managed and minimized in any corporate setting. Accessible, comprehensive, and practical, Telecommuting is sure to become the indispensable reference for any manager whose responsibilities extend beyond today's office into the workplaces of the future.