Managing Teleworkers And Telecommuting Strategies

Much of the research in the area of telework has been more enthusiastic and optimistic than dependable. This book presents objective descriptions and experiences of telework, instead of focusing on boosterism of proponents' theories or the unexamined skepticism of naysayers. Vega specifically questions the wholesale adoption of telework as recommended by its advocates. She examines the impact of telework on the worker, as well as benefits to the employer. Telework might not be the answer to all problems, but Vega's close examination concludes with an upbeat description of what can happen—and has happened—in the best of circumstances.

In Managing Telework, Jack Nilles illustrates that telework is undeniably the corporate wave of the future on a global level. Telework, or telecommuting, a term coined originally by Nilles, means basically moving the work to the worker instead of the other way around. Although there are both risks and opportunities involved in managing a virtual workforce, the opportunities usually far outweigh the risks. As Nilles explains, the key to a successful virtual workforce is making the best use of those opportunities through proper planning and the development of an appropriate management style. Management philosophy, style, and technique constitute the foundation of this indispensable resource. Managing Telework provides crucial information on every part of the telecommuting process. Nilles first explores the issues of selecting the right type of telecommuter-candidates who are likely to be effective workers without the structured environment of the office-and how to find or make proper workplaces for an effective telecommuting program. He then goes on to discuss that central, often unspoken managerial fear of telecommuting: the threat of losing control. Nilles explains that leaders, not administrators, are the key players in successful telecommuting, and that leadership can be taught. There must also be a basis of trust between the worker and the manager, and constant, open communication. Many other pressing topics are discussed in detail, such as how to select the best technology for your specific organization, how to navigate the formal rules and regulations of telecommuting (including union rules and zoning laws), how to measure results, and how to set up a home office. Plus, there is absolutely critical advice provided on other legal, corporate, and cultural issues. This step-by-step guidebook to telework is the only management resource you'll need for the future of business. Learn how to get out of the office. A step-by-step guide to managing a successful, efficient, and happy virtual workforce. "There is no better guide to telework than Jack Nilles. His insights are of growing importance to managers and teleworkers at all levels and sectors of government, business, and industry." -William H. Dutton Professor, Annenberg School of Communication and School of Public Policy and Urban Development at the University of Southern California, and former national director of the UK's Programme on Information and Communication Technologies(PICT) "From his twenty-five years of pioneering and perfecting telework, Jack Nilles defines the essential leadership philosophy of the successful telemanager and presents his time-tested techniques for Managing Telework. These pages are packed with top-notch expertise. I wouldn't be without it!" -David Fleming Fleming LTD "In Managing Telework, Jack Nilles describes what managers and workers need to do to create successful telework programs and explains the benefits they can derive from this way of working." -Paul Gray Professor of Information Science, Claremont Graduate University "Another milestone from the father of telecommuting; an essential reference and stimulation for the biggest change in work organization since Henry Ford." -Peter Johnston Directorate General XIII BI, Telecommunications, Information Market and Exploitation of Research, European Commission "The success of any telecommuting program hinges on thoroughly training telemanagers and non-teleworkers as well as telecommuters themselves. Nilles presents his guidelines in a practical, straightforward manner."-Margaret A. Klayton-Mi, PhD Associate Professor of Business Administration, Mary Washington College "A major transformation in the nature of work is in process. Jack Nilles, for years the foremost expert and visionary leader in the field of telecommuting, has written the definitive book on the subject. This is where the future begins. Don't miss it." -Burt Nanus Author, Visionary Leadership Professor Emeritus of Management, University of Southern California

Does telework work? Telework, or telecommuting, offers numerous benefits to both workers and the firms that employ them. Off-site workers enjoy flexible schedules and avoid the costs, stress, and wasted hours of workday traffic. For employers, telework is a powerful incentive in a firm's efforts to be considered an employer of choice. Firms that implement successful telework programs enjoy reduced absenteeism, enhanced employee retention rates, and increased productivity. This book provides indispensable guidance in designing the tools for choosing and managing teleworkers—the telework guidelines, policies, assessments, evaluations, home safety inspection forms, sample labor union telework agreements, and advice from human resource specialists and managers who have successfully implemented telework. Even if you decide that teleworking isn't appropriate for your firm at the present time, the information included in this book may convince you of the soundness of a telework contingency plan, especially in the aftermath September 11. When the unexpected happens, having a telework plan in place can ameliorate the chaotic conditions facing workers who are suddenly displaced from the office. Among the challenges addressed in this book are compliance with the law, ergonomically correct home offices, and remote computer security issues. Replete with valuable resources, including Web sites, consultants, and software, this book also explains how to avoid such primary stumbling blocks to successful telework as teleworker isolation, coworker resentment, and managerial resistance.

Book Review: Handbook for Managing Teleworkers (A Five-Step Management Process for Managing Teleworkers)If you are a teleworker, a teleworker manager, a federal agency implementing telework or a major company considering it, this is a must read book . While teleworking has started to gain traction, especially at federal level, there are still many myths surrounding it as well as concerns from senior managers who fear loss of control over staff not working in the office.The Handbook for Managing Teleworks puts to rest the myths and explains that teleworkers tend to be more productive than office-based workers. It also explains why teleworking is not just important for millions of employees; it is the wave of the future.The back-to-back blizzards that hit Washington, DC, in February 2010, illustrate perfectly why teleworking is critical. Following record snowfalls, more than 230,000 government employees were ordered to stay at home as the nation's capital virtually shut down for a week. Each snow day cost the government an estimated $100 million in lost productivity and related costs. And if you factor the total expense of lost productivity in the commercial sector, the figures are even more staggering.This book is an A-Z guide aimed at managers tasked with introducing teleworking or overseeing teleworkers and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. The rules for managing teleworking are the same whether you are a federal or state employee or work for a private company or organization. The book is also very useful to people who are thinking of teleworking or trying to persuade their employers to introduce it.The guide starts with an overview of what teleworking is, why it was introduced and what the current situation is. It then takes you through an easy to understand Five-Step Process to determine whether teleworking is right for your organization and, if so, how best it can be implemented.Step One gives you the tools you need to decide whether your organization needs teleworking. It looks at the jobs suitable for teleworking, the benefits and the technology needed to make it happen.Step Two focuses on putting together a teleworking team. This includes successful strategies for telework programs, creating guidelines for managers and employees, writing telework agreements and selecting the right people. There are also important sections on safety, security and the legal rights of teleworkers.Step Three is all about organization getting together a winning game plan. In addition, there is information about training and setting up a continuity-of-operations plan to maintain essential functions in the event of a major disaster.Step Four covers implementation how you make it all happen. In addition, there is guidance on insurances, taxes and health care options and how they impact teleworkers.Step Five discusses maintenance now that you have set up your teleworking program what do you have to do to ensure it runs smoothly.The authors both teleworkers - have drawn heavily on authoritative materials published by a wide range of federal agencies and organizations to provide case studies and best practices. The wealth of practical information is organized into an easy to follow, high value 5-Step process that provides an invaluable resource to telework managers and teleworkers alike.Our Readers Speak...Quote: This is perfect. Our agency has just made a major commitment to telework - but had not put in place a management plan to support this decision. Your five-step process is excellent. Gives us a management framework and a process that can be easily followed by manager and teleworker alike.Quote: Thanks for your book. We found the templates and Five-Step process to be of highest value. Sandra really understands the opportunities and pitfalls.Quote: We have teleworkers scattered all through our organization. None of the managers believed it was working. It wasn''t until we implemented your plan that we began to see the problems and areas where teleworking was working.Quote: Your use of highlighted text made reading the book easy and fun.

This book will help managers and team members alike who are about to or have already started working remotely. It will enable managers to comprehend the challenges of managing remote workers and put strategies in place to overcome these, and will advise employees how to approach their work when doing so remotely.

Learn how to set up and manage distance workers with confidence! Managing Off-site Staff provides managers with the tools they need to set up and maintain a productive telecommuting program that benefits both employees and employers.

Increase your organization's competitive advantage while decreasing its carbon footprint. The traditional workforce - using the model of the 9-to-5 employee - is a thing of the past. Companies, and their employees, are utilizing flex-time and work-from-home arrangements. Modern telework solutions counter problems of escalating real estate costs, traffic and commuting and employee turnover, and promote carbon footprint reduction and higher employee productivity and satisfaction. Telework has taken center stage as a means to generating productive business. Making Telework Work is a call to action, helping organizations gain competitive advantage in a technology-rich world. Leaders of teleworkers must grasp the big picture while still accounting for the details. To do so means developing capabilities that mark extraordinary leadership, not just run of the mill management.