It may sound surprising, but about 57% of organizations view employee retention as a problem. That’s an underlying reason why more and more employers are developing flexibility when it comes to accommodating their employees’ work styles. For many, this means having the ability to work flexible hours and/or telecommute.
If you’re one of the forward thinking employers that give their employees the opportunity to work remotely, it’s important to develop a strategy and routine. Here are some creative techniques for allowing your employees to work from home effectively.
Create A Clear Work-From-Home Policy:
If your business wants to implement a telecommuting policy, transparency and consistency are essential. You need to let your employees know exactly what is expected of them and keep it consistent for each and every employee. It’s also a good idea to have your telecommuting employees sign a written policy that clearly states the company’s guidelines. The more straightforward you can be about communicating expectations, the more success you’ll have in implementing the policy.
Clarify And Streamline Immediate Communication:
No, this doesn’t mean that your employees always need to be on call. Rather, it ensures that company-wide updates are communicated in the most timely and efficient manner possible.
Lisa Lovallo, Southern Arizona market vice president for Cox Communications, writes in Inside Tucson Business, “Keep remote workers engaged and informed. At Cox, we reserve desks called ‘touch down stations’ for telecommuters to work in the office on a weekly/monthly basis, ensuring they stay involved and immersed in our corporate culture.” As far as daily updates, Lovallo suggests, “Regular video chats or status calls will help keep team members on task while setting goals and deadlines with colleagues.”
Consider A Practice Run:
Nearly six out of ten employers identify cost savings as a significant benefit to telecommuting. Still, telecommuting just isn’t right for every employee. Before starting a new employee on the work-from-home policy, think about letting them do a trial run for a few weeks or even months. This extra time can be crucial to work out any issues and help the employee get a head start in determining how they work best.
Ultimately, taking these tips into consideration can help serve as the groundwork for implementing a successful and purposeful telecommuting policy.