Discrimination also has emerged as an issue, telecommuting expert June Langhoff says. Use the time saved by not commuting to do something unrelated to work, Bredin says, such as gardening or coaching a softball team. Her book provides tips on how to manage your time and create a balanced life. Make lunch dates with co-workers. Attend staff meetings and other functions.
Many companies require telecommuters to have child-care arrangements.
On the plus side, telecommuting gives parents flexibility to work when they want. Consider your home office an extension of the workplace. There's an array of convincing arguments and documented facts to justify working from home. Allowing workers to telecommute can be a win-win situation for telemanagers and their talented employees. The state of California's telecommuting pilot program measured productivity increases of 10 percent to 30 percent, and American Express tallied a 20 percent productivity gain for off-site call center employees.