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An important decision to make when planning a Telework Program is whether or not to provide equipment
to some or all teleworkers. There are pros and cons to either approach. Primary considerations are
cost, control, and productivity. Although these issues go beyond the IT department, the telework
planning team will look to the IT executive or manager for guidance on this decision. See links to
the right for other information in the toolkit.
Some of the factors to weigh in deciding whether or not to provide company-owned equipment include:
- The type of work performed by individual teleworkers.
- The sensitivity of data handled by teleworkers.
- Where teleworkers work (home, on the road, etc.)
- How frequently employees will be teleworking.
- Whether or not equipment can be shared by teleworkers (e.g. checking out
laptops on telework days).
- Whether all teleworkers can use the same type of equipment or if
different equipment is needed by different teleworkers.
- The cost of equipment and the cost of IT support.
The organization's position on equipment should be clearly spelled out in the telework policy and
codified in any agreements made with individual teleworkers.
Equipment that may be provided and supported can include one or more of the following:
- Desktop or thin client computing device
- Laptop (may or may not include a docking station, keyboard, mouse or monitor)
- Tablet PC
- Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
- Phone
- Phone Headset
- Cell Phone
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply - to protect against brownouts, power surges & power failures)
- Printer
- Scanner
- Fax
- Copier
If the organization decides to provide equipment, alway maintain an accurate inventory and other records.
You should always know where equipment is and when it was most recently updated or serviced. The policy
should include provisions for the return of equipment should the employee quit teleworking or leave the
organization.
Another consideration is equipment installation and servicing. There are various options. Some organizations
prefer to have their IT department install and test equipment, and at the same time verify the home office
is a safe operating environment. Other organizations will leave this up to the employee. Some organizations
require that the employee return equipment to the IT department for servicing or upgrades; others will
make house calls.
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