Telecommuting or teleworking is working at home, or at another location away from the traditional work site. Telecommuting can be an effective option every day, once a week, or on an as-needed basis.
Telecommuting is considered a trip reduction option because it saves space on our roads. By allowing people to work from alternative locations, it eliminates or minimizes automobile trips. Telecommuting can be very successful and has been found to improve employee job performance, employee job satisfaction, and expand a company’s opportunities for recruiting and retaining employees due to the flexibility offered with telecommuting.
- Writing
- Research
- Editing
- Drafting
- Analysis
- Data entry
- Word processing
- Telecommuting works well for self-motivated, independent workers who can communicate effectively and are familiar with job requirements.
- Will working from home or another site be distracting to you? Telecommuting can not be used as an alternative to childcare.
- How can you be reached? Will you have phone calls transferred to another line, or will you check your voicemail throughout the day? Clients and co-workers will need to know how to reach you.
- Do you have space at home or another site for an office? Will your employer provide a computer or other office equipment?
- If you telecommute full-time, will you miss anything by not always being at the office?
- Outline goals and expectations for telecommuting with your supervisor. Make sure to establish an effective method of communication between the two of you.
If you are interested in starting a telecommuting program, the following web sites may provide some important and useful information:
Useful compiled case studies of Washington businesses implementing telecommuting and alternative work schedules.
A non-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the growth and success of telecommuting.
