The Future of the Workplace By Crystal Munnis
The Future is now! Teleco commut uting: Substitution of telecommunications for transportation in a decentralized and flexib ible le w work arrangem gemen ent t whic ich a allow llows p part or or full ll tim ime employees ees to to work at ho home v via a comput puter a attached t d to the he employer's data ta n netw twork. Telecommuting is suitable for well defined and well structured routine jobs with clear and fixed goals, and not for complex jobs with fuzzy or fluid objectives requiring personal contact. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/telecommuting.htm
Telecommuting Provides: ∙ Increased Employee Productivity - Employees who telecommute generally state that they get more work done at home than they would in the office. ∙ Schedule Flexibility - Employees can schedule their actual work time more effectively. ∙ More time for Work – Less time traveling to work and Employees who come into the office every day will sometimes stay home when they have a cold, upset stomach, or other minor ailment. Often, by the afternoon, they are much improved and could work. Also, snow days and other absences forced by inclement weather. ∙ Reduced Overhead - Decreases the amount of total office space you need and, with that reduction, the overhead for maintaining that space. http://www.riskvue.com/articles/ww/ww0203.htm
Questions Rise about Telecommuting: Will there be a need for workman’s compensation? - There is no special law that delineates when the employer is responsible for injuries sustained by a telecommuting employee, says Jacqueline Jones, a labor and employment attomey at Mackenzie Hughes LLP, a regional law firm based in Syracuse. Court decisions regarding workers' compensation are often influenced by precedents established in other cases to determine when a telecommuting injury is the responsibility of the employer. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3718/is_200607/ai_n17184955/
Questions Rise about Telecommuting: How will the pay rates be? - Some pay hourly, some pay flat rate, yet they all pay you for your services and most do not require a fee. The few that do require fees are trust-worthy sites. http://hubpages.com/hub/The_Truth_About_Real_Telecommute_Jobs
Questions Rise about Telecommuting: Will spending more time at home be a distraction or a benefit? Distraction Benefits 1) Job satisfaction 1) Sleeping in 2) Less pressure 2) Unstructured breaks 3) More productive 3) Entertainment 4) Flexible Schedule 4) Family 5) Better time Management 5) Chores 6) Less office distraction 7) Reduction in operating costs 8) Reduce absenteeism and turnover 9) Less vulnerable to terrorist attacks 10)Reduced pollution and oil consumption http://www.hrmorning.com/5-telecommuting-distractions-to-avoid/ http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/employee-development/847642-1.html
Questions Rise about Telecommuting: Will benefits remain the same? (401k, Health ins. Dental etc.) -Some telecommuters are paid flat rate or per project, others receive all or some of the benefits available through a corporate company. ∙ Will this change in the future?
Telecommuting Pros: ▶ The company can cut overhead expenses from office space and administrative expenses ▶ Employees who work from home often have greater salary satisfaction because they don’t incur commuting-related expenses such as gas or public-transit transpasses ▶ Allowing employees to telecommute can develop a renewed loyalty to the company and encourage high performance ▶ Telecommuting can reduce employee stress, fatigue and absenteeism ▶ Employees may exhibit increased efficiency because they are able to work at their most productive times ▷ More time to spend with families ▷ More relaxed environment ▷ Less environmental pollution http://www.hrmorning.com/pros-and-cons-of-telecommuting-programs/
Telecommuting Cons: ▶ Employees’ potential lack of availability during business hours ▶ Telecommuters’ inability to participate in office meetings ▶ Maintaining data security ▶ Disability risks (e.g., lack of ergonomic standards for home-based workers) ▶ Avoiding distractions at home ▶ Ensuring accountability ▷ Personal expenses rising (such as phone bill, or internet services if not paid by company) ▷ More company expenses such as cell phones and communication devices ▷ Less social interaction between colleagues, build less relationships among co-workers and superiors http://www.hrmorning.com/pros-and-cons-of-telecommuting-programs/
Telecommuting Facts: - A recent Runzheimer International study found that companies spend an average of $7,208 per employee per year when they maintain a mobile workforce. That’s comparable to what some employers pay per employee for healthcare coverage. In this case, the money is primarily spent on technological set up and maintenance, as well as travel. - Some States introduced tax breaks for allowing telecommuting work. http://www.hrmorning.com/the-rising-cost-of-telecommuting/
People Interactions: ∙ Will there be external meetings or just conference calls? ∙ Will people feel more isolated and confined? ∙ Will this lead to more depressing lives? ∙ Will this lead to more employee satisfaction? ∙ Will it be as effective working from home versus a set work place?
Employee Workstations: ∙ Will they consist of just a lap top and a cell phone? ∙ Email will take over regular documents (Such inner office memorandums and eliminate the use for external postage) Requirements? ≫
Computer Requirements: Internet System em Many companies require you to have a ▶ Usually a PC - some companies do high-speed (DSL, Cable) internet not work with Macs. connection. Some work with satellite ▶ Monitor: Usually a 15" monitor, connections, but most (if not all) don't minimum. accept dial-up connections. ▶ Operating system: Windows XP or Windows 2000 - some do not allow Internet browser: many companies Windows Vista require you to have Internet Explorer ▶ RAM: 128 MB minimum, but usually (IE) 6.0 or higher. 256 MB is recommended ▶ Processor Speed: 800 MHz ▶ Graphic Resolution: 1024 x 768, 16 bit ▶ Audio: Sound card with speakers and/or headset http://hubpages.com/hub/Inbound_Customer_Service_Telecommuting_Jobs
Home Office Requirements: ∙ It is important that your room or work area is free of noise or distractions ∙ Some companies allow you to use a cordless phone, some require a corded phone - so be sure that your telephone set up is compatible to your work environment. A second phone line is usually a requirement for many companies. Some companies allow you to have a VOIP phone connection. You will also most likely need to buy a handsfree headset for your phone ∙ It is recommended that you set up a desk (or feasible table) with your computer, phone, good lighting, and a comfortable chair ∙ Be sure that your work environment and all your equipment is kept organized, protected, and safe http://hubpages.com/hub/Inbound_Customer_Service_Telecommuting_Jobs
Miscellaneous: Other changes in the workplace: ∙ Will there be a need for the Post Office or stamps? ∙ Credit Cards/Debit Cards will be in effect, no paper money. (Office lunch will be ordered on a plastic card rather than cash) ∙ What will all the buildings be used for? More housing?
Links: The e law o of t f tel elec ecommuting By Nicole Belson Goluboff http://books.google.com/books?id=HT1lF8W_JCQC&pg=PA178&lpg=PA17 8&dq=telecommuting+and+benefit+compensation&source=bl&ots=8bJvAi 5Quj&sig=q-SNsPbYnTNKNNtnBGyKx- sZmIE&hl=en&ei=AOn3TKzrMI2osAOqqvmrAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=re sult&resnum=10&ved=0CDoQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
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