I’ve never been a teleworker, but with current trends, there is a strong likelihood that at some point in my career, I will be working remote for an extended period of time. Telework certainly has numerous benefits for government, and with available technology, many of the stigmas and concerns related to teleworking are becoming obsolete.
Telework provides numerous benefits for employees and employers. Some of the most common benefits that I hear is that teleworking leads to increased cost savings, flexibility of hours, helps to retain talent, decreased commuting time, improved work life balance.
The concept of using telework to retain and recruit top talent is an interesting concept to consider. By implementing a telework strategy, government can adopt to changing norms in society. By doing so, government can attract top talent to work, offering a benefit that in some instances, is already being offered by competitors in the private and non-profit sector. Having telework opportunities will make government more competitive in recruiting talented professionals. Further, removing the need to be in a physical office opens up opportunities for job seekers all across the country, not just one physical location.
None of the benefits of telework can ever be achieved without sound management and technology. There is absolutely an art to managing remotely, or working with a remote manager. It’s interesting to think of what kind of technology is needed to fully leverage all the benefits of teleworking, to make teleworking feel as if the employee is sitting right in the office. Reading previous telework posts on GovLoop and across the web, here are 5 trends I’ve seen for telework technology needs:
- Video Conference Ability
- Collaboration Software
- Printing Services
- Security
- Remote Desktop
From your experience as a teleworker, or having colleagues who telework, what kind of tech solutions do you need or desire to have as a teleworker? What are some of the biggest challenges while teleworking?
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The one thing that’s missing for me on that list is just a phone. It might sound painfully obvious but video-conferencing and GChat aren’t always ideal.
As with Corey’s suggestion, It may be rather obvious but GOOD HIGH speed internet connection is simply mandatory.
NOT related to actual needs but a requirement would be excellent communications between the teleworker and management. IMO this communications is much more important where there is a significant physical separation between the teleworker and the supervisor/management.
I have high speed internet connection, that, when I am working at home is faster than when I am at work and everyone is on trying to squeeze through one portal. I have my phone but it isn’t as necessary if you have an instant messaging program that everyone is on. This reduces expense as well. Never needed video conferencing. I have a laser printer and paper supplied by work (budget docs for audits can risk ink jet bleed). A good IT help line that can trouble shoot for teleworkers and can complete updates and fixes remotely. We now have wifi ability on our laptops which means I can work in my frontyard on a good day, providing it isn’t too windy since my job is very paper oriented.
Biggest challenge is co-workers and managers who insist on physical presence even though they normally interact with me only by phone or email. Very seldom do I see any of them personally for days (some of them weeks) at a time. So it is an anti-telework mentality.