Working from home — telecommuting
Telecommuting means working from home. Instead of travelling to the workplace every day, employees can ‘telecommute’ using electronic technology, especially the personal computer. Portable notebook computers and other hand-held communication devices have made the virtual office a reality for some workers
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Rights of telecommuters
Responsibilities of telecommuters
- Employer-provided telecommunications equipment
- Some flexibility in determining the work schedule
- Access to training and development courses
- Opportunities for promotion
- Provision of policies on the use of the internet
- Compensation for work-related expenses
- Support of supervisor or manager
- Provision of full technical support
- The encouragement and support of colleagues
- An appropriate work/life balance
Responsibilities of telecommuters
- Work the number of agreed hours.
- Make the home ‘work’ environment meet the minimum health and safety standards.
- Do not use company resources for personal purposes.
- Abide by the company's policies on the use of the internet.
- Maintain the security and privacy of transactions over the internet.
- Ensure telecommunication equipment's safety by providing security locks and a fire extinguisher.
- Protect home-based computer from viruses.
- Maintain security of any passwords and software.
A recent survey revealed that ‘hot desking’ is very unpopular with the majority of telecommuters. Why do you think this is? Share your answer with other class members.
By not having an assigned desk when you visit the office, you:
- may feel as if you are not part of the company
- may be forced to move several times because of the comings and goings of other employees
- may not feel as if you are a valued employee.
Privacy
Telecommuters will have their work performance monitored. This could involve monitoring telephone conversations, internet transactions, keystrokes, web hits or completion time. Some people argue that monitoring to this extent is an invasion of privacy. Others say that monitoring is necessary to provide feedback for the employee.
In recent court cases, it has been shown that personal emails sent by employees using the business's facilities can be accessed and read by management and that this is not an invasion of an employee's privacy. |
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Guidelines on workplace web browsing and emails
Currently, there is widespread concern in the workplace about the use of the internet by employees for web browsing and the sending of personal emails. To overcome this problem, many businesses have developed a set of guidelines that set out acceptable uses of the internet. All employees are expected to follow these guidelines.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer.
Various answers are possible, including:
Agree: It is an invasion of a person's privacy because no one should have the right to check which websites you visit or whom you are writing personal emails to. As long as you do your job you should be able to do whatever you want online.
Disagree: An employer has the right to ensure that you do the job you are being paid to do. Therefore it is fair that the employer monitors internet usage as it can be a big distraction in the workplace.
Find out how many people hot desk in Australia.
New technologies are shaping our workplaces. Find out about whether your career choice can be telecommuted.
Should you read your emails after work? Some countries say 'NO!' Find out who they are.
New technologies are shaping our workplaces. Find out about whether your career choice can be telecommuted.
Should you read your emails after work? Some countries say 'NO!' Find out who they are.
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