| For tech staffers, working remotely requires more than Wi-Fi and a desk Web services, VoIP and other technology could have turned any place with an Internet connection into an office and decreased the necessity of an IT professional's location, but a variety of factors contribute to how enterprise telecommuting policies are developed and who should untether from the traditional workplace, said IT executives and staffing professionals. If we hire local, you have the option to move, but we have to make sure that it's going to work out. "They do not feel pigeonholed and say 'I do not know anyone' and 'I don't know if I can interrupt this person'," Saavedra said. The telecommuting option isn't granted automatically and employees must demonstrate to management that they are comfortable with working offsite, he said. To give remote workers "constant interaction" with co-workers, the company holds daily calls with all developers during which they discuss their projects and any issues they are having. It's key for employees to show how well they can work offsite since that counts for around 70 percent of management's decision, Saavedra said. RightScale makes efforts to virtually link employees to the house office. Convincing management requires employees to show, among other criteria, that their preferred work environment will lead to productivity and they won't miss interacting with co-workers. Meeting colleagues helps remote employees feel comfortable interacting with co-workers when they return to their offsite location, he said. "In the same way you need to be competent technically, we have to convince ourselves that you can work remotely," Saavedra said. Despite RightScale's efforts to connect its remote workforce, Saavedra realizes that a factor beyond the company's control also influences an employee's telecommuting experience. For tech staffers, working remotely requires more than Wi-Fi and a desk |
Thursday, 7 June 2012
For tech staffers, working remotely requires more than Wi-Fi and a desk
