Slide 8 of 11
Notes:
The task set may be right; the organisation may be ready for telework; but what about the individual? Here are the main factors to consider:
1. How long in organisation - established or newcomer?
Unless the organisation is very highly oriented to telework, its usually best for new employees to spend at least some time working in conventional mode to “get under the skin” of the enterprise, understand the culture, get to know other people.
2. Self-managing, self-determining?
Some people prefer to entirely manage their own workstyles and activities, others need the external prompts that are built into the conventional workplace.
3. Age - how much experience of business environment and processes?
Until such time as telework methods are very widely accepted, most young people starting their first job will probably benefit from starting in a conventional environment until they get a feel for business life.
4. Personality - active communicator?
In every meeting or informal conversation, some people are active communicators - they start discussions and join in without prompting. Others tend to be passive and need to be “brought into” the discussion. The first type find it easier to “stay in touch” through electronic mechanisms (phone, email etc) at a distance.
5. Skills - specialist or tyro?
At the two extremes, someone who is a world class expert in their field will more readily adapt to new methods of work (because in demand) than someone who is learning new skills as a beginner.
And of course this is very important - positive management styles suggest that more and more people can and should decide for themselves what work mode is most appropriate for them.
