What do double-taxes, traffic crashes, and jealousy have in common?
They are all considerations in workplace telework policies.
Global Workplace Analytics has a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of workplace telework policies, and the list, which includes those three elements, is wide-ranging.
In the article, Costs And Benefits, Global Workplace Analytics shares and overview of the advantages of agile work strategies for companies and the obstacles to work at home and telecommuting programs.
Here is a sampling:
Advantages of Agile Work Strategies For Companies
- Improves employee satisfaction: People are sick of the rat-race, eager to take control of their lives, and desperate to find a balance between work and life. Two-thirds of people want to work from home. 36% would choose it over a pay raise.
- Prevents traffic accidents: Half-time telework, for the portion of the population that holds telework-compatible jobs and wants to work from home, would save more than 1,600 lives, prevent almost 99,000 injuries, and save over $12 billion a year in direct and indirect costs associated with traffic accidents.
- Ensures continuity of operations in the event of a disaster: Federal workers are required to telework to the maximum extent possible for this reason.
The Obstacles To Work At Home and Telecommuting Programs
- Co-worker jealousy: Employees need to understand why they were or were not chosen for telework. Employees should see telework as a benefit that is earned, not given. Standards of selection should be uniform.
- IT infrastructure changes may be necessary: Teleworkers need access to company systems, software, and data. Infrastructure changes that support telework improve efficiency for office and traveling employees as well. Companies need to address remote technical support issues. Off-the-shelf solutions exist.
- Double-taxation
– Some cities, notably New York, impose taxes on home-based workers whether they work in the city or not. A Connecticut resident who works at home for a New York company owes taxes to both states.
For more information see Costs And Benefits from Global Workplace Analytics.
To hear how Maryland counties are implementing telework policies, and the benefits that they are finding, attend the MACo Summer Conference session, Beam Me Up – Telecommuting and County Government.
About the Session:
Sponsor: Maryland Association of County Human Resources Officers
Description: Telecommuting, or allowing employees to work in offices located off-site and within employees’ homes, is becoming more popular. Workplace flexibility is a way to entice employees into county employment, improve business continuity, create cost-savings, and increase eco-friendliness. Telecommuting also poses risks and downsides, including lack of oversight, security concerns, fairness and morale among employees, and loss of on-site brainstorming. This session will explore the most effective telecommuting policies for county government performance and employee satisfaction.
Speakers:
- Joe Adler, Senior Consultant, Segal Consulting
- Rhonda Weaver, County Attorney, Charles County
Moderator: The Honorable Eric G. Luedtke, Maryland House of Delegates
Date/Time: Friday, August 19, 2016; 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
Place: Ocean City Convention Center
Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference:
- Registration Brochure – with full schedule and session descriptions
- Online Registration – ATTENDEES
- Discounted Hotel Room Rates
- Exhibitor Brochure
- Online Registration – EXHIBITORS
- Sponsor Brochure
- #MACoCon on Twitter
- Questions? vwhite@mdcounties.org