ComplyRightComplyRightComplyRightComplyRight
  • WEBINARS
    • Upcoming
    • On Demand
  • TOPICS
    • I want to learn about:
      • Hiring an Employee
      • Creating Policies
      • Paying Employees
      • Discrimination & Harassment
    • Column 2
      • Employment Law
      • Labor Law Postings
      • Employee Leave
      • Employee Recordkeeping
    • Category 3
      • Independent Contractors
      • Tax Reporting
      • Improving Employee Performance
      • Firing an Employee
    • Seven Reasons Why Employee Performance Reviews Still Matter in a Remote Work World

      Employee Performance Reviews
      Read More
  • SOLUTIONS
    • Employee Management
      • Hiring
      • Time and Attendance
      • Training and Safety
      • Recordkeeping
      • Employee Policies
    • Labor Law Posters
      • Poster Guard® Service
      • ComplyRight Posters
      • Electronic Posters
      • Employee Handouts
      • Partner Solutions
    • Tax Information Reporting
      • DIY Filing Solutions
      • Processing Services
      • Partner Solutions
    • NEW! Secure Document Print and Mail Services
    • Featured Solution

      Poster Guard Compliance Protection
      Learn More
  • ABOUT
    • Who is ComplyRight
      • Mission
      • Core Values
      • Leaders
      • Contact
    • Careers
      • Culture
      • Benefits and Perks
    • Brands
      • HRdirect
      • HRdirect Smart Apps
      • Poster Guard
      • eFile4Biz
    • Join Our Team

      Join Our Team
      Learn More
  • SUBSCRIBE

Why Telecommuting Is a Workable Option with the Right Employees

Published on October 1, 2015
  • Time and Pay
  • Remote Workers

“Having choices today can attract better employees. Those who can’t be onsite can still contribute.”

“Commuting wastes time, energy and gas. Telecommuting reduces office space needed. Workers are less stressed and can manage time better.”

“It allows for a much better work/life balance. It’s also been proven that telecommuters are more productive.”

“A good employee is a good employee – no matter the location.”

These are just a few of the comments received in an online survey on msnbc.com that asked, “Is telecommuting a good thing?” More than 1,700 people voted, with 57.9% selecting the response, “Yes, it gives employees and employers flexibility.”

These days, more and more jobs that don’t involve direct personal contact can be performed remotely.

So if you’re one of those employers who are reluctant to take the plunge and give telecommuting a try, don’t be! These days, more and more jobs that don’t involve direct personal contact can be performed remotely, including positions in marketing, sales, software development, creative and clerical. What’s more, there’s plenty to gain from the arrangement – for both your business and your employees.

  • Telecommuting prevents interruptions in workflow – A dead car battery … a sick kid who needs bed rest … an appointment for cable hook-up – for all the reasons an employee has to come in late or miss work altogether, he could log in to his desktop at home and still get work done. Deadlines don’t have to be compromised just because an employee is home-bound.
  • Telecommuting reduces stress and boosts productivity – It’s no surprise that the workplace can be a stressful place. Frazzled, stressed-out employees are not effective – they’re present, but they’re not productive. In a more relaxed, home environment, they can focus on the task at hand without the frayed nerves.
  • Telecommuting trims your overhead costs and doesn’t require expensive equipment – In most cases, a telecommuting employee only needs a computer, Internet access and a phone. He or she probably already has these items available at home, which means no additional costs for your business to get them up and running. And if your company is growing, it can do so without the need for additional workstations or office space.
  • Telecommuting supports a healthy life/work balance – Most employees long to spend more quality time with their families. Just by eliminating the bumper-to-bumper commute and other time-drainers in the workplace, employees can complete their work PLUS enjoy more time with their children, spouses or partners. This morale-booster alone can help you retain qualified employees who might otherwise look for work elsewhere.
  • Telecommuting is “green” and good for the globe – During this time of increased environmental awareness and attention to carbon emissions, telecommuting is a smart option. Fewer people driving to and from work means fewer cars on the roads guzzling gasoline and polluting the environment.

Practical Considerations with Telecommuting Employees

Obviously, telecommuting isn’t appropriate for every employee or situation. For remote arrangements to work, employees need to be disciplined, organized and self-motivated. With no one watching their every move, they may be tempted to slack off or abuse the privilege.

Encourage your telecommuters to touch base with a manager or direct report regularly (by phone or email), and feel free to restrict telecommuting with local employees to a couple of days a week.

Finally, you need a system for tracking the hours an employee spends working remotely. This includes work time, overtime, vacation time and sick time (or collectively, PTO). As a first step, let telecommuting employees know the number of hours they’re expected to work each week. Then, require them to report all time spent working, with the understanding they’ll only be paid for the amount of time submitted. Last, be certain a manager or supervisor reviews all submitted work to ensure it reflects the amount of time reported. Although you can’t deduct time or refuse to pay employees for their time, you can discipline employees (or end the telecommuting arrangement) if they’re not performing to your expectations.

Bottom line: You control the arrangement, but time-and-pay rules still apply, even if an employee is working from home.

​

SA Attendance Calendar | Time & Pay

HRdirect SmartApps Attendance Tracking

Related Content

  • federal minimum wage in 2021play-button
    Rising Minimum Wage Rates and How They May Impact Your Business
    June 2021

    Will we see legislation for a $15 federal minimum wage in 2021? It’s unclear. But an increase is looking more … Read more

    Time and Pay

  • FLSA Violations
    5 Mistakes Small Businesses Make That Could Lead to FLSA Violations
    October 22, 2020

    Time and pay rules under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are complicated — particularly for small businesses without the … Read more

    Time and Pay

    FLSA

    Worker Classification

  • Flexible scheduling
    How to Implement Flexible Scheduling That’s a Win-Win for You and Your Employees
    May 26, 2020

    What used to be the rare exception for a handful of employees has become more mainstream. Today, flexible scheduling is … Read more

    Time and Pay

    Attendance

  • FLSA hours worked
    Counting FLSA Hours Worked: How to Get it Right to Satisfy Upcoming Overtime Rules and Calculation
    January 8, 2020

    Wage and hour violations are a frequent source of trouble for employers, where Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) oversights can … Read more

    Time and Pay

    FLSA

    Overtime

  • Ready, Set, Go: Critical Actions Every Employer Should Take with the New FLSA Overtime Ruleplay-button
    Ready, Set, Go: Critical Actions Every Employer Should Take with the New FLSA Overtime Rule
    October 2019

    After months of anticipation, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the final rule on the overtime provisions under the Fair … Read more

    Time and Pay

    FLSA

    Overtime

  • Here We Go Again: DOL Announces Potential New FLSA Overtime Regulations
    Update on DOL Overtime Regulations: New FLSA Overtime Rule Just Finalized and Effective January 2020
    September 25, 2019

    The wait and uncertainty regarding potential new overtime regulations are over. On September 24, 2019, the Department of Labor (DOL) … Read more

    Time and Pay

    FLSA

    Overtime

  • Attendance Calendar Smart Appplay-button
    How to Stop Excessive Absenteeism from Undermining Your Business
    June 2019

    In a perfect workplace, employee absences would always be scheduled well in advance. But you know the drill … Carl … Read more

    Time and Pay

    Attendance

  • The Art of Avoiding Work: Do You Have a George Costanza Working for You?
    The Art of Avoiding Work: Do You Have a George Costanza Working for You?
    June 4, 2019

    Your star employees keep you smiling every day, while poor performers have you pulling your hair. And it’s usually easy … Read more

    Time and Pay

    Attendance

Upcoming Webinar

Webinar Name

Date & Time

Presented by:

Learn More
Shop Our Brands 
HRdirect
HRdirect Smart Apps
Poster Guard
Formstax eFile4Biz

At ComplyRight, our mission is to free employers from the burden of tracking and complying with the complex web of federal, state and local employment laws, so they can stay focused on managing and growing their businesses.

©2021 ComplyRight, Inc.

Webinars

  • Upcoming
  • On Demand

Solutions

  • Employee Management
  • Labor Law Posters
  • Tax Information Reporting

About

  • Who is ComplyRight
  • Careers
  • Brands

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Popular Topics

Performance Policies Discrimination and Harassment Employment Law HiringLabor Law PostingsIndependent Contractors

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe

Follow Us

  • RESOURCES
    • Knowledge Center
      • Tip Sheets
      • E-Guides
      • Podcasts
      • Infographics
      • Videos
    • Webinars
      • Upcoming
      • On Demand Webinars
    • Research and Trends
      • Compliance Survey
      • Trend Surveys
      • Minimum Wage Monitor
    • HR 101 Courses
  • TOPICS
    • Hiring an Employee
    • Creating Policies
    • Paying Employees
    • Discrimination & Harassment
    • Employment Law
    • Labor Law Postings
    • Employee Leave
    • Employee Recordkeeping
    • Independent Contractors
    • Tax Reporting
    • Improving Employee Performance
    • Firing an Employee
  • SOLUTIONS
    • Employee Management
      • Hiring
      • Time and Attendance
      • Training and Safety
      • Recordkeeping
      • Employee Policies
    • Labor Law Posters
      • ComplyRight Posters
      • Poster Guard®
      • Partner Solutions
    • Tax Information Reporting
      • DIY Filling Solutions
      • Processing Services
      • Partner Solutions
  • ABOUT
    • Who is ComplyRight
    • Newsroom
    • Careers
    • Brands
    • Contact Us
  • SUBSCRIBE
ComplyRight