Humans have been working from the comfort of their homes for decades, and this trend is expected to continue. The idea of teleworking is not a new one, but technology has been growing at a steady rate, which has made the idea of teleworking more feasible than ever before. Organizations such as the United Nations and the United States government have been doing telework for years. However, it is with the introduction of the coronavirus pandemic that these practices will likely change.

The pandemic has changed the way a lot of businesses operate for the foreseeable future. There will be new pressures on the existing workforce and different ways of coordinating activities. The pandemic will be a particularly intense test of the business continuity and recovery capabilities of an organization as it is forced to use a larger percentage of its workforce than usual as a result of the interruption of work. It will also require the organization to consider the long-term consequences of some of its business practices, such as teleworking and remote working.

But what is teleworking?

Before moving ahead, let us first know about teleworking.

What is teleworking? 

Teleworking is a commonly used term that refers to the use of information and communication technology (ICTs), such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, for work that is performed outside the employer’s premises. This definition comes from the US Department of Labor (DOL) and is included in the DOL’s regulations governing the telework program. 

Teleworking is growing in popularity for both employees and employers. It’s not only used by the millions of workers who go to work from home once or twice a week (or year) but also by the millions of employers who send their employees to work for them remotely. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are now employed in this way. Some studies claim that teleworking will save businesses $25 billion annually, while others claim that it will cut costs by $12 billion. Teleworking has benefits for employees, employers, and society at large. 

Teleworking and continuity?

Teleworking is currently a growing trend in the workplace. It allows employees to perform work offsite and to keep the organization operational during extreme weather, terrorism, pandemia, power outages, or other unforeseen events. 

However, is teleworking necessary for business continuity? There are many factors to consider when implementing an effective telework program, including the level of control supervisors have over teleworkers, the number of flexibility teleworkers are given, the extent of training they receive, and the risks and benefits of working remotely.

Final Words

Teleworking allows employees to keep working even if they cannot make it to the office. Teleworking policies are essential for any organization that relies on an effective workforce. They allow for employees to continue working in the event of job site interruptions. Teleworking is practical and ensures that employees can remain productive and businesses can remain in business. Attend the Compliance Prime webinar to know more about teleworking.