I have been telecommuting 100% (about 6 times a year I head to the home office) since 2001. I only got broadband in 2003 (DXPC, SSH compression, VNC are your friends). I was the pioneer, and it worked. That said, it is not managers who telecommute nearly as much as my colleagues now do. There is one item that has to be determined. Some people simply can't work from home.
1) You can't, no matter who you are, work as efficiently AND look after the kids.
2) Some people are simply distracted too easily. From TV to I'll just get the grocery shopping done now kind of deal.
On the metrics, it is abundantly apparent who is effective at working remotely within even a week.
If you are going to try to work from home, you HAVE to treat it, literally, as "going to work". I have coached quite a few telecommuters. Here are the rules, they help.
1) Do not break routine. If you shower, coffee, breakfast, makeup, etc, then go to work, do the same, then mentally, "go to work" in your office.
2) Dedicated office space. When you are there, you work. When done work, you leave the space. If you have a notebook, unhook it and "play" in another part of your home.
3) Dress as if you are going to the office (presentable). Underwear and tank top not acceptable in the office, it will help you work at home).
4) Access is key. I have a company cell phone and it is with me. Expect, during the beginning that everyone assumes you are channel surfing on your TV. When they always have access to you and you are actually working, they will adapt.
5) Accept that some managers will never accept not being able to see you in the office when they want. It doesn't matter how much you produce, or how effective you are, some managers can't adjust. Accept this or move to a new department.
In my division, it has gone from me alone to probably 90% telecommute at least part time. (1 to 2 days/week)
TripleII
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