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Telecommuting Transition
How to Switch Smoothly from Corporate Life to a Home Office
By Johnathon Allen
For many modern dads, the "American Dream" for this century is having a job that will allow them to work from anywhere on the planet. Given today's technology, who wouldn't skip rush-hour traffic to play with their kids, and then, after a casual breakfast, check into their office simply by clicking a mouse?
More than 15 million Americans now work from home or a centralized telework center for at least part of their work week. And the trend toward telecommuting isn't just benefiting workers. Many companies in today's competitive information economy are eager to cut costs and improve worker satisfaction by adopting telecommute programs. AT&T estimates that it saves $3,000 annually per telecommuting employee and, as a result, more than 50 percent of their office-based workers telecommute at least two days a week.
Despite these benefits, many employers remain resistant to helping their workers make the leap from office to home. Likewise, many fathers find that working from home is not always a "dream come true."
Telecommuting obviously involves more than simply buying a portable computer and installing a second phone line. New models for communication, information exchange and accountability are necessary in order for employers and employees alike to have a sense of structure and security. It's also hard to measure the business and social significance of casual face-to-face interaction in the coffee room or elevator. To ensure a smooth transition from office to home, many companies hire professional consultants to help develop systems and strategies for clear communication and increased productivity.
Workers who desire to join the country's growing "virtual workforce" have essentially two options: Seek a position at a company with an existing telecommute program or strive to create one at your current job.
"Small-to-medium-sized businesses who employ information workers like banks, insurance companies, software developers, and law firms are prime candidates for telecommuting," says Jack Nilles, founder of JALA International, a Los Angeles-based management consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses establish effective telecommute programs. "Though today only about 10 percent of these employees work remotely, it's likely that over 80 percent of the information workforce could telecommute at least some of the time," he says.