Using mobile work options is a way that many companies can continue working even when Mother Nature is at her worst. It can also be used as an alternative method to helping employees save money with the rising cost of gas. Companies who have never used telecommuting will have to make changes to enable their workers to access their system remotely. Providing workers with the option to telecommute can create good will with employees & some employees will save money as vehicle expenss are lower.
Companies that consider mobilizing their workforce should look at a variety of issues. These tangible and intangible benefits will help companies succeed and move into the future with a productive and well-balanced workforce.
Companies considering mobilizing their workforce need to examine a variety of issues and understand them. This process will help a company determine budget implications and readiness of workers to be mobilized.
Include the responsibilities of the company, employee, employer and HR dept. Each person or group involved with a remote work arrangement should know exactly what is expected of them and how they will be held accountable.
The Remote work Agreement sums up what is contained in the Policy and includes specifics that will vary from each mobile worker in some situations. Additional clauses not listed below may be required under certain circumstances. If your company does not have a Remote Work Policy or Agreement in use, then it is now time to create them
Another reason that mobile work arrangements may fail is that the people selected to work remotely and those who end up supervising the remote workers are just the wrong people!
When a company has tried using a mobile work program and did not have success, it is usually very difficult to convince them to try again. "Once bitten - twice shy" is an appropriate description for their attitude. There are a number of reasons that mobile work programs do not succeed and we'll look at some of them.
Expecting or anticipating that everyone will get along perfectly is unrealistic. Can providing an opportunity for telecommuters to meet in real life can provide a means to better understand each other and improve their working relationships?
In order for Supervisors to sucessfully manage remote workers and ensure that everyone is pulling their own weight they require some additional skills.
Some workers are better suited to working in a remote environment and this is because they have well developed job skills and inherent qualities which make them adapt to remote work.
This list may seem overwhelming at first glance but remember the end result is a smoothly running team that will accomplish it's goals and get the job done.
