Ten Biggest Telecommuting Mistakes
As gas prices hit record highs and worries rise about the
prospect of gas at over $5 a gallon, companies can expect to face increased
pressure to consider telecommuting. But before they do, Karol Rose, author of
five books on human resources issues and an executive with a Web-based provider
of workplace flexibility solutions, warns both individuals and companies to
avoid the following mistakes.
Top Employee Mistakes According to Rose, the five biggest
telecommuting mistakes employees can make are: Don't set boundaries for
themselves regarding work and personal responsibilities Don't find ways to stay
physically connected to the workplace and colleagues Think they can work the
same way remotely as they did in the office Underestimate the need to
communicate frequently with boss regarding what's working/not working so can be
proactive Don't do enough problem solving regarding 'what if' scenarios before
they begin telecommuting
Top Five Employer Mistakes And according to Rose, the top five
mistakes companies can make are: Think it's not already happening Think it's
harder than it is Assume if "I can't see you, you must not be working" Fail to
understand telecommuting may require a blend of off-site and in-office face time
View telecommuting only as an employee benefit; fail to see how telecommuting
can benefit the business by meeting customer needs across time zones or save the
company utility, real estate, and other overhead costs
"Done right with proper planning and processes, telecommuting
can do more than ease pain at the pump," says Rose. "Avoid road bumps by using
telecommuting as a strategic route to long-term benefits instead of a short-term
detour."
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