ways2work > How to do it > Re-thinking commuting > Reducing commuting through ICT > Issues to be overcome
Issues to be overcome
We’ve reviewed the principal benefits of teleworking, and presented the argument that they were considerable benefits for employees, managers, organisations and the environment.
Achieving these benefits, however, involves overcoming certain issues. Below we review what experience and research has shown are the three principal issues to be overcome to make teleworking successful and sustainable in the long term. In each case the issue can be overcome by training and education in how to manage telework and be a teleworker.
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Management mistrust of teleworkers
managers are frequently reported as saying "How can I supervise people I cannot see?". The remedy is for them to learn how to replace management by observation with management by objectives
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Teleworkers' isolation
there are regular reports of 'the loneliness of the long-distance teleworker.' The remedy is for everyone to take active steps to facilitate and create an environment for social interaction amongst and between teleworkers (and, if there are any) their office-based colleagues
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Keeping a proper work-life balance
teleworkers often report that it is difficult to switch off from work and there is a blurring between when they are at work and when not. The remedy is to learn how to establish rules, agreed with the people at home and the people at work, about working hours
As you might expect, the significance of each these issues increases in proportion to the number of days a week that someone teleworks.