Workplace Flexibility: Telework and Telecommuting

Telecommuting is working from a remote location outside of a traditional office. The remote location can be from home, a coffee shop, or hotel room. The Internet, faxes, phones, webcams, and instant messaging are some of the technological advances that enable this type of work arrangement. Most telecommuters work in the financial, high-tech, and communications industries.

You know you’re a telecommuter if… If you work at home and do not regularly need to leave your house to conduct your work, you’re a telecommuter. Examples of telecommuting include:

• Working out of your home office.

• Working out of an office on your home property (above the garage, in a guest house, etc.).

You know you’re a teleworker if… If you have to travel to and from a location for work on a regular basis, even if you’re not commuting to a regular office, you’re still a physical commuter. Therefore, you’re teleworking (because you’re working from somewhere that is a distance from your office) but you’re not telecommuting because you still have a commute. Examples of teleworking include:

• Working on various projects on-site with clients, but not reporting to your employer’s main office.

• Working regularly from a coworking space that you need to commute to.

• Working from a satellite or branch office rather than your employer’s main office.

• Working from anywhere that allows you to work (the airport, a coffee shop, a hotel lobby).