An introduction to teleworking
26-35-2002
By: Helen Barry
What is 'Teleworking'?
Teleworking involves working at a distance from your employer or clients, either at home, on the road, or at a locally based centre. In this 'new' business environment you can work almost anywhere provided that you have access to a computer, telephone and fax to keep in contact with your employer, customers or clients.
Why Telework?
Teleworking offers many benefits to the organisation, the individual and society including:
* extended customer reachability
* flexible access to relevant information independent of time and location e.g. by sales reps
* cost savings for central work places including a reduction in office space (desk sharing)
* increased productivity
* access to employees at geographically distant locations
* improved balance of work demands and private life
* increase in satisfaction and motivation
* reduction in time off sick
What are the essential equipment requirements for Teleworking?
The equipment needed varies according to the work being done and the situation within which the teleworker delivers services, but some or all of the following equipment may be used by the teleworker:
a personal computer/laptop, some dedicated software, a dedicated telephone (usually two lines, one for voice messages and one for data), a printer, an answering machine or equivalent, a fax, a scanner, a modem (if not installed as part of the computer package), broad band connectivity (if work involves the transfer of large files or for video conferencing, this requires a different sort of modem-e.g. ISDN Terminal Adapter, Cable Modem).
What types of business activities are suitable to Teleworking?
It is important to remember that not all types of business activity are suitable for teleworking. Fields of expertise that may be suitable to adaptation include for example: web design, graphic design, desktop publishing, document services, proofreading, editing, journalism, computer & administration services, database/spreadsheet applications, data processing/scanning, payroll administration, computerised accounts, financial analysis, mailing agency, translation services, event management, correspondence handling, theses compilation, compilation of mailing lists, consultancy services and many more.
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