In almost every company, more and more employees are asking for flexible schedules and work-from-home opportunities. While many managers want to offer such flexibility, it can be difficult for them to know whether their workers are ready for telecommuting.
Not every employee can handle the changes that come with a flexible schedule and independent work, and not every job is a good fit for working from home. So what is a forward-thinking manager to do?
Here are five suggestions to help you decide whether an employee is ready for telecommuting:
1. Before looking at the individual, consider the job.
Some jobs allow workers to move smoothly between a traditional office and a home office without any noticeable impacts on productivity. However, other positions require people to collaborate with co-workers almost constantly, and for those jobs, a home office might not allow the work to get done without the proper tools.
Before deciding whether someone is ready for telecommuting, carefully consider whether the occupation is a good fit for remote work. Then, if there are barriers, address them and see what tools and resources you can employ to make collaboration seamless over the virtual space.
2. Assess your worker’s temperament.
Let’s face it: some workers are self-starters who can excel without close oversight, and some are not.
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Before you allow an employee to work remotely, take a close look at the person’s track record. Does she have a history of meeting deadlines, even when she’s working independently? Does she communicate well with co-workers and managers? Is she organized? Does she collaborate effectively?
Consider your own experiences and ask for information from others who work closely with the employee so you can gain a complete view of her abilities to focus and complete assignments despite distractions. This information will be vital as you decide how to proceed.
3. Ask about your employee’s motivation.
Workers have a variety of reasons for seeking flexible schedules. Explore the motivations of your employee.
Is she trying to build better work-life balance? Are co-workers distracting at the office, thereby hurting productivity? Is she interested in eliminating a long commute to either save time or help the environment?
No particular reason is necessarily right or wrong, but asking these questions will help you understand why the person is seeking flexibility, and that will help you be a better manager.
4. Make sure you have the right technology in place.
It’s not fair to offer an employee the chance to work from home if you’re setting her up to fail. Before you let her operate out of a home office, make sure she’ll have the technology she needs to complete all tasks, communicate with co-workers, and collaborate when necessary.
Clarify what technology you will supply and what, if anything, she is expected to provide. And ask a few questions about the remote working environment she’s planning to build.
5. Do a trial run, and make a plan.
Even after you’ve gathered all of this information, you may find that remote work isn’t a good fit for some people.
If you’re confident that your worker is ready, give her the opportunity to work remotely for a day or two. Assign the kinds of tasks she would normally have to complete at the office, and check in on communication, collaboration, productivity, and ability to meet deadlines.
After a couple of days, talk about the experience. If necessary, make a few suggestions to help improve telecommuting skills. Assuming the results of the trial run are generally positive, develop a long-term plan for remote work, with scheduled check-in times to make sure it remains effective for both parties.
If you follow through on these five suggestions, you and your employees will be better prepared to handle flexible work opportunities. That will help them build happier, more balanced lives. And since happier employees are generally more loyal and productive, it will also help your company’s bottom line.
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Readers, what processes do you have in place to ensure staffers are ready for telecommuting? Share your tips with us below!
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