Technology has made it possible for people to work from any location with an Internet connection. This increased connectivity makes it easy for employers to offer more flexible schedules, which many employees find valuable, especially if they do not live in close proximity to the office.
But employees aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit from telecommuting. Telecommuting can also be beneficial to employers by allowing increased hiring freedom, so that organizations don’t have to limit their talent search strictly to certain geographic areas.
Chris Ducker, author of the book “Virtual Freedom,” says that each virtual worker hired saves a typical business $11,000, according to Inc. While this may be a large draw, in order to have success with remote workers, it is crucial for managers to communicate with these employees and not let them fall through the cracks.
Although telecommuting workers may not be physically present at the office, they are still part of your team and should be treated as such. Inc. suggests setting up the office to be able to hold regular meetings that include virtual employees.
Expectations are another important component of establishing a successful working relationship with virtual employees, as they may have different standards at home than they would if they were present at the office. However, by making sure everyone is on the same page, you can avoid potential conflicts.
Some companies may want to work with certain employees strictly on a telecommuting basis or offer them the option to work from a home a couple of days a week. HR departments should bear in mind the implications of each scenario and determine the working situation that is best for everyone. HR software solutions can help keep track of important employee information to be used when configuring telecommuting situations.