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Seven Steps to Telecommuting Success

by Linnea Kirgan

Want to be one of the 30 million US workers who telecommute on a regular basis?

Telecommuting expert Jack Nilles, who coined the term telecommuting in 1973, said Generation Y's students are increasingly expecting telecommuting to be part of the job benefits.

"The kids are demanding it," he says. "It's an inevitable trend." His consulting firm, JALA International, forecasts more than 40 million US workers will be telecommuting by 2010.

In fact, today's students entering the workforce have a comfort level with technology that sometimes surpasses that of the companies where they want to work. However, all employees, no matter their technological expertise, need to be realistic about approaching the boss about telecommuting and clear about expectations.

Follow these tips to join the telecommuting ranks:

Timing is everything

Use caution when broaching the subject, whether you're interviewing for a job or bringing it up with a longstanding boss. And do your research. Many companies consider telecommuting and other flexible solutions commonplace, but there are plenty of others that don't.

Gil Gordon, author of several books including Telecommuting Success, says to think twice before bringing it up in a job interview because it could be perceived in a negative way. "It's a risk," he says.

Alice Bredin, owner of Bredin Business Information, says to keep in mind that telecommuting is also an undertaking for your manager.

"Use common sense on when to bring it up," she says. For example, don't introduce the idea the day before your boss leaves for vacation or when he or she is under tremendous work pressure.

Also, be sure you're in good standing at work since approval is likely at the discrimination of your boss. "If things are not going well at work, it's probably not a good time to propose it. Timing is everything."

Sell it, truthfully

Instead of touting all of the benefits you will reap from telecommuting, take a look at it through your boss's eyes. Use telecommuting to further your boss's objectives, Bredin says. For example, instead of saying how you'd love to get rid of your three-hour commute, talk more about how you'd like to get an earlier start on the day to interface with staff or clients in another time zone or abroad.

"Whatever terms you think will compel the person to approve it without stretching the truth," says Bredin, the author of the Virtual Office Survival Handbook.

Address possible concerns head on. For example, if you have children or elderly parents that you are responsible for, be sure to address the topic directly.

"It's good to be honest about it," Bredin says.

Be a strong candidate

Are you a good employee? Are you dependable, cooperative, cheerful, and do you exceed expectations? If so, you'll likely do well in a telecommuting environment.

"Ask yourself, would you trust you to work at home?" says Gordon, who runs the consulting firm Gil Gordon Associates.

Take it slowly

Don't expect to begin telecommuting the first week you start a new job.

Nilles says it's unrealistic to think you'd begin telecommuting immediately unless you have "extremely rare skills." Take time to acclimate to office culture, establish contacts, and learn the ropes. He said the early weeks of any new job involves communication and, "subtleties that are not easily transmitted via electronics."

Avoid common pitfalls

*Manage expectations: Don't make people guess when you're available and be consistent with your schedule. "Make it crystal clear when you're telecommuting and when you're not," Bredin says.

*Make yourself easy to work with. For example, if your boss proposes a meeting on your scheduled telecommuting day, come in without making a fuss. "Make your telecommuting really expendable for you," she says. "It will have more lasting power if you make it easy."

*Don't inconvenience people in the office. Don't pester co-workers with extra work because you're unprepared at home. Every once in a while, it's fine to ask a colleague to forward an e-mail or other task. But, Bredin warns, "Don't make it a habit."

*Don't schedule a lot of personal errands because that time adds up. Bredin says that if you have to book your telecommuting days with errands and chores, you may need to look at a reduced work schedule all together.

Stay connected

Be proactive about staying in contact.

Plus, when you're in the office, connect beyond work by catching up with colleagues on topics like family and hobbies. "Stay a part of the social fabric of the office," he says.

Bredin says you have to reach out early and often. "You almost have to work a little harder to let them know you're around."

Use tools to make communication easier such as Web conferencing, e-mail, and conference calls. "Anything you can do to give visibility to your productivity on your telecommuting days," she says.

Be a trailblazer

Some industries such as high tech are a bit ahead of the curve in accepting telecommuting, but Nilles says that telecommuting is possible at most jobs, except certain location-dependent positions. The comfort level has to do more with office culture.

Don't be afraid to be the first to propose it at your company, just be prepared with your reasons.

"You can be the trailblazer," Bredin says.