Yesterday we discussed ways to make employees’ commute friendlier to the environment, but we saved the ultimate answer for a greener commute—having workers stay at home and telecommute—for today.
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Three years ago, Yahoo Inc. CEO Marissa Mayer made headlines by ending the company’s popular telecommuting policy to boost worker productivity. The reaction was strong: employees thought it a terrible idea, while many employers secretly fist-pumped in agreement.
Why do employers have such trepidation over telecommuting? Many believe it encourages employees to be a bit too flexible with their time. Others say it’s harder for teams to connect, and communication suffers.
While getting telecommuting right isn’t easy, there are some steps to consider:
- Don’t make it all or nothing. Reach a compromise of 30% working from home and the remainder in the office. Many employees will appreciate the mix.
- Schedule regular huddles and touch-base meetings. Keep to a routine, and try not to reschedule these sessions. Make sure attendance is required and that everyone participates.
- Set guidelines and metrics. Make sure your telecommuting employees are very clear on what they need to get done. Regularly review their metrics with them.
- Consider the job and the individual. It is true that some jobs can’t be done at home, and some individuals need to be part of an on-ground team. Make sure the job and individual are well-matched for telecommuting.
- Embrace diversity. Providing telecommuting options opens the door for hiring people from a variety of locations. The company will benefit from the wider pool of talent.
- Don’t forget the “at home” team. Don’t let the people in the office resent your telecommuters. Make sure that everyone is recognized for the contributions they bring.
And, don’t forget that telecommuting significantly shrinks your carbon footprint. Every time you approve telecommuting, you’ve put one less car on the road and potentially made one more employee very satisfied.