Telework / Telecommuting

Teleworking / Telecommuting is a Commute Mode

You might be asking yourself, Why is teleworking grouped in with the goClub? We consider working from home a type of commute and one in step with the goals of the goClub--to connect the Aggie Community with lower-cost and lower-stress commute options. As well, teleworking is a favorite goClub commute mode among many Aggies because it allows for more work-life balance while maintaining productivity.

ExclamationTelework(ing) Through an Emergency | Telework is a critical tool for reducing the spread of sickness by minimizing face-to-face contact, and maintaining business continuity if employees are asked to self-isolate or quarantine. Please click here to see Coronavirus Guidance for Employers and Supervisors.

Telework vs. Telecommute

Nowadays, both teleworking and telecommuting are terms that seem interchangeable. They are both terms to refer to a remote working arrangement between an employer and an an employee that our outside a traditional, in-office or on-site working environment.

  • Teleworking: Any form of substitution of information technologies (such as telecommunications and/or computers) for normal work-related travel; moving the work to the workers instead of moving the workers to work.
  • Telecommuting: Periodic work out of the principal office, one or more days per week, either at home, a client's site, or in a telework center; the partial or total substitution of information technologies for the commute to work. The emphasis here is on reduction or elimination of the daily commute to and from the workplace. Telecommuting is a form of teleworking.

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Are You Telecommute-Ready?

Telecommuting is not an uncommon practice anymore and an attractive option for many employees and employers. Still, if you're interested in telecommuting as a regular, long-term commute option, that's a conversation you'll need to have with your supervisor.

Ask yourself some questions:
  • Can my work be done via telework?
  • Do I have the right hardware (i.e. laptop, home computer)?
  • Do I have the right software?
  • Does my laptop or home computer need VPN access?
  • How will I keep connected with my supervisor (i.e. Skype, text, email)?

Telework
Determining whether you are ready to telecommute really hinges on whether your particular position allows for you to work out of the office and/or if your workflow can be structured around a regular part-time work-from-home workday. If the answer is yes, Human Resources at UC Davis offers a start guide for teleworking.

They suggest that you:

Benefits of Telework

There’s no shortage of studies showing a path forward for implementing telework for employers and employees. Financial resource, Fundera, summarizes the benefits employers might see if they allow their employees to work from home, which includes:

  • Innovation | When an employee works remotely, they can work in a setting they feel most comfortable in to spur their creativity.
  • Productivity | Working remotely can actually boost productivity for many telecommuters.
  • Work-Life Balance | A healthy work-life balance saves employees from chronic stress and helps them refrain from sacrificing aspects of their personal lives.
  • Employee Engagement | Gallup found that engagement is highest when employees worked remotely part of the week and in the office the remaining time.
  • Reduced Absence | Employees who would have called off to deal with an illness or a busy schedule can instead work from the comfort of their own couch.
  • Worker Retention | Letting employees work from home can help cut back on your business’s turnover rates by offering employees a fringe benefit they may want to stick around for.
  • Cost Savings | Having employees work from home means you can opt for office space that is smaller and less expensive, reducing the cost of utilities and rent. You can also save on office furniture, coffee, snacks and more.