In the past, I’ve blogged about the need for workplace flexibility and how having employees who work from home can really improve their productivity.  Researchers from Brigham Young University analyzed data from 24,436 IBM employees and identified the point at which 25 percent of employees reported that work interfered with their family life.  For those office workers on a regular schedule, that breakpoint was 38 hours per week.  Given a flexible schedule and the option to telecommute, employees were able to clock in 57 hours per week before experiencing such a conflict.

Telecommuting is truly effective in reducing work/life conflicts when it is accompanied by flex time.  Employers should try to be more creative and innovative when it comes to flex time & telecommuting but they should also be careful not to violate any state or federal regulations when it comes to establishing this type of work/life option for their workplace  For example, a nonexempt employee who checks their blackberry at 12am is considered to be putting in compensable time under federal regulations.

By establishing clear guidelines, an employer will find that flexible work options are associated with higher job satisfaction which will boost morale when it may be suffering in this challenging economy.    

Besides Payroll & employee benefits, Total Team Solutions helps our clients to establish policy & procedures that speak to telecommuting and flexible workplace options.