Gordon is even more sanguine than Levine when he talks about the old mindset. Five years down the line, telecommuters could make up half the workforce. Teleworking when done correctly is a win-win solution for employers and employees. Coletta has a point. META Group's study listed several obstacles to success.
Technical infrastructure is one issue.
Without planning for technological needs, telecommuting efforts are doomed to failure. This may require an initial investment in a computer and phone lines, an allocation for basic office necessities, and a stipend for ongoing office expenses. Organizational design can be another problem. The key here, says the study, is to ensure maximum communications opportunities between the employee and the rest of the team. This means managers must understand the work process and include multiple options for employees to be in touch.