Want a way to better balance work and home life, cut your commuting costs and focus on important work tasks? Teleworking might be the answer. Teleworking means moving the work, not the worker. Phones, computers connected to the internet and other tools can make daily trips to a central office unnecessary. Teleworking can include working from home, a satellite office or in the field. Some people telework now and then, while for others it is a regular activity. Employee and employer benefits Many managers find that teleworking programs can bring a variety of benefits.  Studies have shown that the right employee in the right program reacts positively to teleworking, and these positive feelings make for a more steady and productive work force.

Rewards can include:

• Reduced office, car parking and travel costs
• Ability to offer flexible work arrangements to attract and retain staff
• More self-reliant and productive staff

Teleworking can help employees to:

• Balance work with family responsibilities
• Reduce the time and cost of commuting
• Organise their time to work at their peak and reduce distractions
• Work while recovering from injury or living with a disability

Making telework work

To make the most of teleworking, employers should have a framework in place to support teleworkers and their managers. Factors important for successful telework arrangements include:

• Supportive management, with managers able to manage employees based on productivity rather than presence
• Selecting appropriate people and roles for teleworking, as it does not suit everyone
• Maintaining interaction between teleworkers and their colleagues
• Providing good communications infrastructure such as remote server access and computing equipment

More information on teleworking:

• Teleworking basics
• Sensis report into Australian teleworking
• Guidance on setting up a telework program