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As a telemanager, you should schedule time to prepare for the telecommuting program. This chapter includes telemanager guidelines for getting organized, steps for developing objectives for the telecommuters, an overview of delegation and communication skills, an assessment of technological needs, and strategies for problem solving.

Getting Organized

First, identify how much flexibility your employees may have while telecommuting. Develop policies regarding telecommuting. Identify the following:

• How often can your employees work at the Telecenter? Will the frequency of telecommuting vary by person?
• Are there core hours that the telecommuters need to be at the Telecenter? Should all telecommuters be available by phone during specific hours; for example: between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM?
• When does the work day start and end? Is there any flexibility? Can telecommuters start work outside of the normal business hours?
• How often should the telecommuters call the office or their voice mail?
• How quickly do telecommuters need to return messages?
• How often do telecommuters need to communicate with their clients and co-workers?
• What type of support is available to telecommuters (e.g. clerical or technical)?
• What are the security or confidentiality requirements?

You should communicate all your expectations formally. The more aware your employees are of the parameters of the program, the fewer problems you will have in the future.

You may choose to be as flexible or as strict as your corporate culture allows. Some telemanagers start by being very strict and relax the rules as they learn to trust the telecommuters. The telecommuters also become more organized with time.

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