Interest in telecommuting grows in wake of swine flu outbreak

As more and more cases of swine flu are reported across the country, interest in telecommuting has started to grow. Many businesses are considering telework as a way to protect their employees from getting infected. Should the outbreak reach epidemic levels, telecommuting could become a critical necessity.

Companies that have solid telework plans in place are in good shape, says Chuck Wilsker, president and CEO of The Telework Coalition in Washington, D.C. Those that aren’t prepared to have employees work offsite may find operations at a standstill if the swine flu threat were to escalate to the point of widespread absenteeism or building closures. “This is a really lousy economic time for businesses to have to go cold turkey and not be able to carry on,” Wilsker says.

Research firm Gartner says companies should have a plan in place that would address workplace absenteeism of 40% or more. Still experts say, businesses and employees should be concerned and planning, not panicking. Once a telework plan is put in place it should be tested to insure it will work as intended and address all the needs of workers and employers alike.

Telecommuting takes adjustment and may be hard on those who thrive on watercooler talk and office politics, as well as on those who lack the self discipline to work effectively under little or no supervision. That’s why communication is so important, and now is the time to start. Waiting until an epidemic or pandemic hits is far too late.

Read [PCWorld]