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This
mutual fund company (Company D), which employs
approximately 400 people began a telecommute program
in 1997. The program involves a select group of employees
within the Account Services Department. Approximately
100 employees work from home on a regular basis.
"The
success of the program has exceeded all expectations,"
said Assistant Director of Direct Services. "It
has saved on commuting time and expenses, wardrobe costs,
parking fees and meals away from home. Since this began
we have experienced an individual increase in productivity
anywhere from 10 to 50 percent with reduced turnover."
The
telecommuting Account Services representatives are responsible
for executing transactions for the company's two million
investors. That can include anything from purchasing
or redeeming shares of a specific fund to exchanging
shares from one fund to another. Everything is done
electronically, so no paper is involved.
Program
Design and Implementation
In
the fall of 1996, a committee was assembled with representatives
from the company's Human Resources, Account Services,
Facilities and Information Technology departments. The
objective of this committee was to obtain the necessary
equipment and resources, as well as select candidates
to be the initial telecommuters.
Telecommuters
provide their own desks, file cabinets and lighting.
In most cases, the company provides all of the computer
hardware and pays for the initial move to a telecommuter's
home, including installation costs with the telephone
company and any additional setup costs.
Most
locations in the metropolitan area are eligible for
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), which is
the network required to handle the amount of data that
needs to be transmitted in a timely manner. ISDN allows
a person to send files or browse the Internet at 128
kilobits per second, almost four times as fast as a
regular modem.
Selecting
the Right Telecommuter
Company
D has found that successful telecommuters are typically
proven performers who are self-motivated, resourceful,
organized and committed. Jobs that involve mostly computer
work or telephone use, and require little face-to-face
interaction, measurable performance and minimal supervision
lend themselves to telecommuting.
Benefits
to the Telecommuter
Due
to the continually growing traffic situation in the
area, the project has been popular among employees.
Employees save on travel cost, wardrobe and meals away
from home. Less travel can also mean less stress and
more time with the family.
"Company
D actively tries to balance the company and staff's
needs through telecommuting," said Direct Services
manager. "This allows our people to benefit from
telecommuting, and we have people there for our customer's
needs at times that a normal business doesn't."
Company
D touts the ability to do business during severe weather,
power outages, system malfunctions or any other unforeseen
event that might cause problems in the office.
Conclusion
Company
D's highly successful program results directly from
strong enthusiasm and support by management. With such
support and the solid personal benefits telecommuting
brings to employees, the program is a model for other
companies across the country.
Company
D has made telecommuting a successful part of doing
business.
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