Telecommuting is the process by which company employees work from the comfort of their homes or other non-company locations instead of working in the businesses’ installations. The concept is transforming the development of organizational activities in the public and private sectors. Today, about 3% of the workforce works from home — there was an increase of 115% between 2005 and 2015. On average, telecommuters earn $4000.00 more than their non-telecommuting counterparts while saving employers an estimated 44 billion dollars a year.
The common job requires a rigorous schedule that includes a typical work schedule of 9 am to 5 pm. Workers generally perform specific tasks at the organization’s headquarters where they use company-specific technology and are regularly monitored. Furthermore, businesses require employees to participate in regularly scheduled meetings. Instead, in telecommuting arrangements, employees enjoy a flexible work schedule to complete tasks from any place. These individuals will use their own devices and technologies and are evaluated based on results. Although meetings will still be required, such meetings will take place remotely using virtual technologies that connect individuals from anywhere with an internet connection.
To work remotely, employees and companies need to have access to technologies that facilitate the concept. All parties will need to have access to specific devices and communication technologies. The technology, however, depends on the type of activity that workers will carry out. For example, employees that develop software remotely will have different needs than employees that perform sales tasks at home. Although some of the tools will overlap, other tools, such as software, will vary. Generally, the technologies used will include IP phone systems, video conferencing technologies, remote desktop software, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), collaboration software, and corporate email.
One of the essential tools that telecommuters need is a system for video conferencing. The reason that the technology is important is that it allows all parties involved to communicate with each other using video and audio in real-time, thus providing the advantages of visual cues while also permitting distance between parties. Therefore, telecommuters and their respective business associates can meet whenever or wherever needed, saving time and money on travel. This advantage will ultimately increase productivity by eliminating time constraints and barriers. Although video conferencing may have some disadvantages, including an increased reliance on technology with a subsequent probability in having technical issues and a lack of personal interaction, overall, the method’s positives overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives.
Not all communication can be as direct and simple as an email or as involved and direct as video conferencing. Therefore, telecommuters should also have access to business phone systems. Phone systems can be as simple as having access to a phone line or cell phone; however, in most cases, telecommuters will need to have access to corporate voicemail accounts and company extensions. In these cases, the organization will need to provide access to an IP phone system that allows the use of extensions remotely with the ease of adding features such as call forwarding and remote voicemail. This way, when customers or business associates call the organization’s line, employees have access to those lines and all available features regardless of geographical location.
Many remote workers will also need access to the organization’s private network to have access to internal files and assets located within the company’s systems. Businesses have several methods to provide this functionality. Among these are remote desktop connections, such as Teamviewer and AnyDesk. Although these alternatives are low-cost, they do tie up computing resources. Alternatively, companies can set up private VPNs. These provide access to internal networks from remote locations. These technologies make up the bulk of the minimum requirements for telecommuting. Even with the investment needed in telecommuting tools, such investment is minimal when compared to what organizations save when providing workers with the flexibility to work from anywhere.