Can Working Remotely Work? With ubiquitous intranet connectivity, advanced telecommunication and networking technology, employer initiatives for work life balance, shrinking travel budgets, and disaster preparedness planning, many professionals are logging in, signing on, pinging, tweeting, or connecting to networks from home offices, hotel rooms, telecommuting locations or handhelds. How can working remotely work?
Have confidence in your management staff - a major reason many companies resist having remote workers is that they are concerned their management teams will not effectively monitor and motivate remote workers. Managing a remote workforce is not significantly different from managing workers in an office, but requires a greater emphasis on regular, formal communication. ...see more
Keeping Employees Engaged!
Yet all these different successful companies have something in common; they have an engaged workforce that delivers over and over again. Their workers are engaged with management, with leadership, and with the mission of the organization. There is a growing body of research on this topic that suggests that companies who take care of their employees capitalize on significant cost-savings and profits. For example:
So how do companies get engaged workers? You create them. Company leaders must make it a priority to get to know their workers, wherever they are, or however they work, so they can provide them with the tools and skills to be fully engaged in what they do. And how do you do this? Through effective management. There will indeed be differences in the way you manage onsite workers and your remote employees, but there are some key principles that are helpful. With that in mind, here are a few steps to eliciting engagement.
In every organization employees are the greatest asset. They may not all sit in the same office or ever meet face-to-face, but their ideas and enthusiasm help your business grow. Employees need guidance from leadership and managers who want their ideas, provide feedback, and help generate enthusiasm for their employees to have a sense of purpose about the work they do.
Launched by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Telework!VA is a public/private partnership offering qualified employers up to $35,000 to start up or expand their telework program. The goal is to give more people the opportunity to telework, while reducing the number of commuters on the Virginia roadways. In addition to helping the environment and enhancing employees' quality of life, studies show teleworking yields a 22% increase in employee productivity, a 20% decrease in employee turnover and a 60% decrease in employee absenteeism* Insuring your business continuity during flu season, inclement weather or any other crisis threatening your company's viability is perhaps the most valuable asset to this program. With the right tools and flexibility, employees are able to work anytime and anywhere without the distractions of the office and the stresses of getting there. In the metropolitan Washington area, most employees telework an average of 1.5 days per week**. Virginia businesses seeking guidance on how to design or expand their telework program, or to determine their eligibility for the incentive program, should visit www.teleworkva.org. *Source: International Telework Association and Council |
Remote workforces are neither a reward for good behavior or for stellar performance. They are a business necessity. The opportunity to work remotely should not be a reward for good behavior or stellar performance. The case for working remotely is simple: it meets a business objective that impacts the bottom line. As with managing any team, the following key points highlight how to maximize performance of remote work teams.
Going to work can mean many different things for professionals today. It might be the drive from suburbia to the brick office building downtown, or signing into a web-based portal from your home office or telecommuting location or maybe a WebEx or Skype conference call with associates and partners across the ocean. Companies and workforces are global, timelines are compressed, and the pressures to succeed, to be lean and green are driving the way we do business. It almost sounds cliché to say it but 'a lot has changed'. No two companies work the same or have the same practices and structures; they don't keep the same hours and don't follow the same rules.
| Issue 27 | March 2010 |
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We are pleased to announce that Robert Krajewski and Ryan Noll recently received their PHR (Professional Human Resources) certification. This recognition acknowledges their experience and knowledge in human resources.
On March 15, Helios HR will announce the finalists for the 2010 Apollo Awards. Visit HeliosHR.com to see which organizations will be recognized for their commitment to employee development!
March 16-17 - Association for Capital Growth's Strategic Growth Conference and Capital Forum, McLean Hilton Tysons Corner, McLean, VA. March 17 Dulles SHRM presents "Creating Your HR Metrics that Matter" from 7:30am-9:30am at Reston Hyatt March 18 Rose Financial Services and Helios HR present "Labor Practices: Keeping Your Records in Check and Maintaining Compliance", Lakewood Country Club, Rockville, MD March 23 NOVA SHRM presents "Diversity: What You May Not Know" from 7:30am-9:30am at Fairview Park Marriott March 24 "The Manager's Role in Motivating Top Performance & Minimizing Employee Litigation" from 11:30am-1pm at Greater Washington Board of Trade, Washington, DC March 25 & 26 Metro DC ASTD is pleased to present two exciting learning events in March featuring Jonathan Halls, media master and ASTD TechKnowledge® presenter. Visit Metro DC ASTD Monthly Programs for more information.
Helios HR would like to congratulate our clients who were recognized as Smart100 CEOs for 2010! Allen Cage, Jr. Chris D'Agostino Judy York Laila Rossi Charlie Thomas Please share recent awards and accolades received by your organization to admin@helioshr.com for consideration in the next issue of Client Spotlight!
Helios HR provides human resources outsourcing, consulting and recruiting services that optimize your workforce and HR operations. With Helios, you gain a strategic business partner with a keen eye on your organization's culture, growth, business strategy and budget. Additional information is available at www.helioshr.com
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