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Return to Article: Telework participation still lags behind interest

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  Background: I've done both telework (to keep travel costs down) and on-site work for the past 6 years with a variety of Federal programs and managers.

  In many cases, the telework option resolves many problems but usually replaces them with different ones. It IS possible to lead a team from a remote location (I led a team that covered 5 states geographically) but it is not easy. The higher the degree of needed collaboration, the more difficult. The higher the degree of autonomy by the worker, the easier it is. It also requires a far greater skill in coordination and huge levels of trust in the abilities of your team members.

  The main problem I've run into is one of personal motivation - some people are simply not suited to independent work. On the flip-side, some managers are absolutely averse to allowing their subordinates to work outside their personal intervention. The converse of both is also true; some really shouldn't work directly WITH others. A rule of thumb is that if the employee needs a lot of personal direction, they probably aren't a good candidate and if the manager's style is "micro-management" they will have a very difficult time of it. Both sides have to be suited to it for telework to work well.

  If you opt for telework, expect the travel expense for you personally to increase a bit until both you and your supervisor get comfortable in it due to being called in for impromptu, but "necessary," face-to-face meetings.

  Good luck.

  Fed'l Gov't Consultant Posted February 3, 2005 9:12 AM
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  I am interested in teleworking but was wanting to know if anyone could tell me if you are a Team Leader can you lead the team from home? I have a laptop that I work on everyday at my workplace and I can take it home with me. I can come in for scheduled meetings and meet with customers face to face when necessary. I have email, cell phone, and home phone for anyone to contact me.

  Federal Employee Posted February 2, 2005 1:31 PM
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  I work for Commerce where managers are hesitant to allow teleworking. I at one time was teleworking. Now I have a new supervisor. He has made it clear that he will not allow it. Our job is not a good match. However, there was no problem with it under my old supervisor. Seems like the resistence to latch on to a new concept will never end.

  Government Employee Posted February 1, 2005 12:51 PM
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  Telework is very appealing to me, but is not mentioned in my workplace. I'm wondering if some people would feel 'out of sight, out of mind' in regards to promotions and key assignments. Do you have any research on the effectiveness of employee success in regards to their personal promotional abilities and work assignments when they've worked remotely?

  DoD employee

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 1, 2005 6:39 AM