"Family Matters: Making Telecommuting Work"

Family Matters

Making Telecommuting Work

From Catherine Roseberry, former About.com Guide

http://mobileoffice.about.com/cs/balancingact/a/familymatters.htm

To succeed in a telecommuting arrangement, a telecommuter requires the support of their family right from the start.

It is important that families understand the significance of setting and following rules for telecommuting.

A situation that might arise is when the spouse not telecommuting has holidays and for whatever reason the telecommuter does not have the ability to take holidays at the same time. This can result in problems and unnecessary tension in a family.

The problem with our situation was the spouse on holidays made plans and arrangements for trips and company to visit but did not consult with the telecommuting spouse. This resulted in company arriving whilst the telecommuter was trying to work and in one instance they were in a videoconference with their co-workers.

The solution is that when anyone is going to start telecommuting to sit down with your family members, (spouse and any children old enough to understand). Explain that with this new arrangement there will be rules and that these rules must be followed.

Three rules that will help aid a telecommuter in succeeding: 

Rule Number 1
Make a family calendar. On this calendar post all scheduled meetings (onsite or at the home office), all scheduled video or telephone conferences, family events, appointments, children's activities, scheduled holidays for both children and the parents. Set up this calendar as far in advance as you have information for. At the start of each new month, review and make additions or deletions as necessary. Make sure everyone is aware of what events may be occurring for the person telecommuting.

Rule Number 2
Explain that your family members should not make plans without first checking with the telecommuter. This will help prevent the situations that arose above. Explain that while you are home - you are not there as the community babysitter, nor are you available for friends and family to just drop by and visit. You have a job to do.

Rule Number 3
No interruptions, unless it is an absolute emergency. You are not to be disturbed while you are working. The other people in the house should act as though the telecommuter were not even there. When the telecommuter has breaks or lunch then you can talk or ask questions. Included with this rule is not talking on the phone during work time on non-work related matters. It's a bad habit to start and very hard to stop. If you have two phone lines into the house, have an answering machine pick up the home line and keep your business line free for work calls.

Remember the key to this working is to have a family discussion before you begin telecommuting, and then once the arrangement starts talk about it again. Make sure that everyone understands these rules and why there must be rules.