[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]2019 has much in store for Atlanta, beginning with Super Bowl LIII in the heart of downtown this February. With mega sporting events ahead and the potential for icy road conditions in the late winter months, planning in advance for employee commuting challenges is a vital task to tackle in the new year in order to maintain business continuity and an engaged workforce regardless of obstacles or surprises.

Many organizations turn to telework to bridge the business continuity gaps caused by such occurrences and provide a more resilient and flexible workforce. Creating a robust and sustainable telework program can sometimes require testing, measurement and iteration. However, even a few core steps can provide the basis for a meaningful and productive business continuity solution that helps managers meet their goals and ensures teams are more resilient in the face of traffic or weather occurrences.

Ready to create a telework program at your company? Here are our quick-start steps:  

1. Gain executive/management support – telework is first and foremost a management prerogative.
2. Identify work roles that can perform some or all duties remotely. This should be based on job functions performed on a daily basis and leave room for technology to fill gaps.
3. Determine the equipment and technology needed for employees to accomplish their work remotely and identify work roles that may already have the needed set up and access (such as staff provided with laptops and phone/video conference software).
   • If relying on the use of personal devices (phones/computers), review this with your IT department.
4. Test remote access prior to launching the program.
5. Develop and document guidelines for participation.
   • What are the goals?
   • What selection criteria for participating employees will be used?
   • Record who is approved for participation (if using telework agreements, formalize and store these records).
   • Confirm how frequently and when participants can telework.
   • Determine any communication expectations (i.e. access, availability).
   • Document available resources.
   • Confirm expected and available technology.
   • Decide if there are workspace expectations or modifications.
   • Document any special considerations around insurance or worker compensation/liability.
6. Communicate with both managers and employees. Give them the options available and provide them with the tools for success.

Remember: telecommunications infrastructure can be much less vulnerable to weather, traffic and unforeseen events than the roadway network. Remote access provides resilience for everything from the Super Bowl to a loss of water pressure at your office, so you can be prepared for any occurrences that may arise.

Click here for more resources from Perimeter Connects to help you establish a telework program.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]