Manage HR
It
is the quality and the standard of the human resource recruited
that plays a key roll in differentiating between a successful
organisations and a "run of mill" organisation . In
this section, we will discuss the issues relating to this valuable
resource through a series of articles. And yes, we are
open to contributions from masters of this Art ... Are you one?
The
Virtual Workplace
The
ubiquitous chip, a fast paced life, glossy gadgets and slick
gizmos- the outcome is a life where work is what you do, not
where you do! Laptops, Internet and email have made it possible
to work from the comfort of home. As technology continues to
evolve, we see a new trend evolving the “virtual workplace
“. The hitch is that, only the work place should be virtual.
The term ‘virtual work’ is not exactly a welcome phrase.
This is the only thing the employer has to be careful about.
Thanks to the dotcom boom, the virtual workplace is not out
of reach for the Indian professional. Telecommuting will be
common feature, and HR managers will have to deal with a new
breed of employees- a.k.a telecommuters!
Surveys
reveal that telecommuting is very popular in the United States
and the work-from-home pattern is becoming people’s primary
choice. This includes people who work via telephone or computers
without a direct link to the office environment. The Bureau
of Labour Statistics estimated a whopping 21 million Americans’
choice was working from home, as a part of their primary job.
Employees see the work-from-home option as a balance to work
and family responsibilities. For the employer it is a way to
boss employees’ morale and retain valuable talent, especially
when circumstances do not permit them to work in a conventional
office environment. Telecommuting is thus a win-win situation
for both parties if it works out right!
Employees who telecommute often speak very highly of
their employers and are more positive in their outlook than
most non-telecommuters. Employers should also realise that by
making room for telecommuting, their employee turnover rate
will be significantly lower. Telecommuting is also an attractive
incentive to make prospective employees to join the company.
Research conducted by the GartnerGroup reveals that telecommuting
increases the productivity of employees by 10-40 %. It also
decreases absenteeism.
One of the challenges employees are facing today is the requirement
to establish new management and team-building styles that do
not require a face-to-face approach. For employees, the challenge
to get by without office networking, and stimulating challenges
that are present in a work environment is a dare they need to
take. In the future, telecommuting will become a valid option
for the employee and “going to work” will be replaced
by a “work wherever you can” policy.
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