How can I make sure that my teleworking works for both me and my agency?
- Establish a routine: Once you start teleworking, you will have 24-hour access to work. You may be tempted to work longer hours. However, working too much can cause stress and stress-related illness. Knowing when to stop is essential for effective performance. One way to get around overwork is to implement specific business hours. Set firm starting and stopping times, and communicate these to your manager and coworkers. At the office, there are routines that structure your time. If you work at home, it may help to establish your own routine so that you don't overwork.
- Establish goals: Develop a list of goals and assignments for the days you telework. At the end of the day, go over the list and see how much you've been able to accomplish. It's helpful to start the list a couple of days before you're teleworking. This helps to plan for all the resources you'll need to support your activities at home.
- Set deadlines: While teleworking, follow the same rules for deadlines as if you were in the office. If you're mailing reports to the office, send them so they arrive the day they're due or earlier. If you're sending your work electronically via a computer, it should also arrive on time.
- Avoid distractions: Avoid teleworking on days when there may be friction at home, such as family quarrels or problems. If you have an elderly family member, an infant, or a toddler needing care, it will be difficult to telework and complete any work. Telework is not a substitute for child- or elder-care
- Maintain regular communication with your manager: As a teleworker, you'll need to keep your supervisor informed about the status of the programs you are working on, your progress, and any difficulty encountered. Think of your manager as a client that needs information on a timely basis.
- Be accessible: Be sure to stay in touch with the office during teleworking days. Set up a system (mobile telephone, voice mail, e-mail, answering machine, or pager) so that you can be reached easily.
