How to Make Telecommuting Work

Telecommuting has become an attractive alternative for many professional moms.  Technological advances allow you to work almost anywhere.  All you need is internet access, a computer, and a phone.  Employers nowadays are more willing than ever to allow their employees to work from home or another remote location.  If telecommuting is  your way of achieving balance and avoiding career burnout, here are some tips to make it work.

Tip No. 1 – Make sure you and your employer are clear on how the arrangement will work.

A telecommuting arrangement can only be successful if the structure of the arrangement and related expectations are clear to all.  You want to flush out as many potential points of confusion  as you can before the arrangement starts.  Some aspects to consider are the following:

• Telecommuting Schedule. Will you telecommute your full schedule, or part of it? If it is a partial arrangement, will you work remotely a few days a week, or certain hours each day?
• Presence at the Office.  Even if you are telecommuting on a full-time schedule, will your employer require you to be present during specific events, such as monthly staff meetings or important client meetings?   Does your work require you to perform tasks that can only be completed at the office?  You need to make sure all parties are clear on when you will be at the office and when you will not.
• Equipment.  Will your employer provide any equipment that you will need for telecommuting such as a laptop, cell phone, or videoconferencing software?  Can you get reimbursed for any equipment or supplies that you purchase in order to work remotely?  What will you do if the equipment you use ever fails?  Make sure you know exactly what tools and equipment you will need, and who will provide them, before you start the arrangement.  You should also keep the contact information for your employer’s IT representative handy, so you can rapidly reach them if you have tech issues.
• Accountability.  How will you show your employer that you are performing  your work tasks as required?  Will you submit a daily time sheet or other report detailing your activities?  Will your employer determine your compliance on the basis of your completion of certain tasks by specified timelines?  Will they measure your performance by your ability to achieve specific results within certain time frames?  This is an extremely important factor to consider.  If you work remotely your employer will lose the ability to monitor you directly.  You need to make sure all parties involved are clear on how you will demonstrate that you are doing the work that you paid to perform.
• Communicating with the Office.  How will you stay connected with the office during work hours? You want to make sure your employer can find you when they need you.  You will likely stay connected through your work email and a work cell phone.  You may, however, want to provide a designated a person (maybe your secretary) your home phone number, personal cell number or personal email address, so that they can readily locate you if anything important comes up at work and you are not connected to your work computer.
• Evaluations.  Will the arrangement affect your performance evaluation?  Will it affect your prospects for promotion?  If so, how?

Tip No. 2 – Stay connected.

The old adage “out of sight, out of mind” serves as a warning to telecommuters.  You want to make sure that you are not forgotten.  And also, that you are not passed over for work involving important clients or for career-making projects.   You need stay alive in the minds of your co-workers and your bosses.  Here are some ways you can make that happen:

• Use the Phone. If you have to discuss a work-related matter with your boss or a co-worker, instead of sending two dozen emails back and forth, consider picking up the phone and making a call.  Besides discussing the issue more efficiently, you can take the opportunity to connect.   Ask them how they have been.  Talk about their family or hobbies.   Congratulate them on a recent work accomplishment.  Let them hear your voice!
• Video-Conference.  Whenever you can, suggest a video-conference instead of a conference call.  A video conference will allow you to see your co-workers.  More importantly, it will let them see you.
• Attend Office-Sponsored Events.  Your employer may occasionally throw a Christmas party a or buy bulk tickets to a sporting event.   Try to show up to some of these events.  Many of your co-workers will likely be there.  This is an efficient way to maintain presence since you can connect with many of your co-workers at the same time.  You will likely also get to catch up with people with whom you don’t work directly and don’t speak with often.

Tip No. 3 – Maintain an adequate working environment.

• Maintain a Designated and Consistent Work Schedule. Establish a schedule during which you will be working.  Preferably one that is consistent with the work schedule of your employer.  If your telecommuting arrangement includes a predetermined time frame within which you will be working, then follow it.
• Maintain a Designated Work Space. You will not be as productive if you work from different areas in your home each day.  Find a place where you can focus and work productively and stick to it.
• Keep it Professional. Make sure you work in an appropriate space.  You don’t want your clients or co-workers to hear the TV blasting in the room next to yours, or your dogs barking in the background.  You also don’t want them to see a pile of laundry behind you when you are in a video conference.  Look at your work space from the point of view of the other party in a video call and make any necessary adjustments.  It is best if you work from a space that has a door that you can close to keep out noise.
• Avoid Distractions. Eliminate from your work environment things that can distract you or cause you to waste time.  You should not be working with your TV on, music playing or while watching a YouTube video.  If you wouldn’t do it at the office, don’t do it in your home office.

Tip No. 4 – Meet and exceed your boss’ requirements and expectations.

• Meet all Deadlines. Meeting deadlines is always important.  But when you telecommute, your employer may link a missed deadline to your telecommuting arrangement.  They may think you need direct supervision in order to deliver on time.  If you recurrently miss your deadlines, your employer may revoke your telecommuting arrangement.
• Exceed Your Employer’s Expectations. Produce work-product that exceeds what your boss expected.  Elevate the quality of your work.  This will give your employer reassurance that the telecommuting arrangement is not affecting your work product.
• Be Responsive. During work hours, make sure to respond quickly to emails from your boss, co-workers and clients.  If you are missing in action for hours your employer might think you are engaged in non-work related activities during work hours.

The Bottom Line.

Telecommuting can be the ideal arrangement for professional moms that want to spend more time with their family while they advance their career.  These tips can help make it successful.  If you want more information on other types of alternative work arrangements click here:http://legallybalanced.com/how-to-request-an-alternative-work-arrangement/.