- Home
- Businesses
- Telework
Telework
Boost productivity, cut costs, and expand your talent pool
Teleworking, or working from home, helps save space on our roads by taking trips off the road while increasing employee performance and job satisfaction. Teleworking can also expand a company's opportunities for recruiting and retaining employees, and improve their bottom line.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking has never been more popular or important both in terms of meeting employee demands and navigating a successful business in a modern work environment.
LEARN
What is teleworking?
Teleworking, also known as telecommuting or more popularly a hybrid remote work schedule, refers to the practice of working from a location outside of the traditional office setting, such as from home or a remote location. This can be done through the use of technologies such as video conferencing and remote access to company systems.
This can be a great option for employees who have long commutes or who need more flexibility in their work schedules. It can also be extremely beneficial to have a policy in place when employee emergencies or inclement weather prevent in-office work.
Teleworking considerations for employers
As an employer, implementing a telework policy can have a significant impact on how your employees communicate with management, coworkers, and clients.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Time management: While teleworking provides flexibility, it's important to ensure that your employees are still able to manage their time effectively and remain productive while working at home. Discuss potential distractions with your employees and ensure they have a clear understanding that working from home should not be a substitute for childcare.
- Communication with coworkers and customers: Ensure that your employees have the necessary technology and tools to stay connected with coworkers and clients. Discuss the best method of communication and set clear expectations around response times.
- Home office set-up: Discuss the necessary equipment and workspaces needed to facilitate a productive work environment. Consider whether the employer or employee will provide the necessary equipment.
- Social contact with coworkers: Teleworking can potentially impact social interaction with colleagues. Encourage the use of video conferencing and collaboration tools for remote employees to maintain a sense of camaraderie and team cohesion.
- Workflow and project reporting: Establish clear expectations for how employees will report their productivity and progress on projects to management.
Providing your remote workers with the necessary resources and support for teleworking can increase job satisfaction, reduce stress, and potentially even reduce costs for your company.
If you’re considering adopting a telework arrangement for your company in Pierce County, our team at Ride Together Pierce can point you to resources and tools to help you! Get in touch with us here.
CONNECT
Stay connected from afar
While teleworking has given employees the work flexibility to sustain more work-life balance and employee productivity has also increased as a result of the remote work arrangement, employees who feel isolated from their colleagues and employers are struggling to find ways to connect in a remote environment.
The pandemic was a huge factor in driving remote work adoption, but it's important for employers to recognize the impact it has on employee well-being.
Companies should prioritize creating opportunities for virtual team-building activities and encouraging regular check-ins with colleagues. Additionally, offering resources and support for mental health can help employees feel more connected and supported while working from home.
Use our tip sheets for ideas on how to stay connected and reduce telework fatigue.
GO
There’s a lot of information, news, and resources related to telework! Here’s some of the RTP team’s favorite articles and guides:
- NEW: The Unashamed Guide to Virtual Management Ebook
- NEW: Hybrid Workplace Strategies
- ACT Chesapeake Webinar: How to Manage Teleworking and Parenting
- Commuter Choice Maryland: A Guide to Telework for Employers
- Help Employees with Childcare During COVID-19
- Commuter Choice Maryland, COVID-19: Managing Anxiety While Working Remotely
- Commuter Choice Maryland: Telework Tips
- Commuter Choice Maryland, COVID-19: Working at Home with Kids
- Coalition for Smarter Transportation
- iCommuteSanDag Telework Resources
- goDCgo Employer Telework Guide
- Mid-Ohio Telework Guide
- Telework.gov
- NEW: The Unashamed Guide to Virtual Management E-book
- NEW: Hybrid Workplace Strategies
- ACT Chesapeake Webinar: How to Manage Teleworking and Parenting
- Commuter Choice Maryland: A Guide to Telework for Employers
- Help employees with childcare during COVID-19
- Commuter Choice Maryland, COVID-19: Managing Anxiety While Working Remotely
- Commuter Choice Maryland: Telework Tips
- Commuter Choice Maryland, COVID-19: Working at Home with Kids
- Coalition for Smarter Transpo.
- iCommuteSanDag Telework Resources
- goDCgo Employer Telework Guide
- Mid-Ohio Telework Guide
- Telework! VA
- Telework.gov
Working from home or a satellite location, often called teleworking or telecommuting, is growing as employees and employers recognize its benefits.
STAR TELEWORKING EMPLOYEE
“Teleworking is a great option that my work offers. Once they realized employees can be just as productive from home, they gave this option to staff who wanted it. They definitely prioritize employees work/home life balance.” — Megan