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Security Requirements: How sensitive is the data that teleworkers may need to
access or work with from a remote location? Working with sensitive data does not necessarily preclude an
employee from telework. It just means that appropriate security precautions must be in place.
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Scalability: How many employees will be teleworking this year, next year, five years from now?
As the number of teleworkers increases so may the need for bandwidth. When first starting out with only a
few teleworkers, an organization may not need to provide them with access to the corporate network.
Eventually, when a larger number of employees are working from home, access to tools and data on the corporate
network and more sophisticated networking may be essential.
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Computers: If employees use their home computer, the employer has no control over what other software
is in the computer, what is being uploaded or downloaded, or how other family members may be using it.
Probably the most an employer can do is require current anti-virus software and frequent backups. Employers
who are not comfortable with this usually purchase computers for their employees.
If the employee uses one computer at home and another one at work, it may be necessary to purchase software
licenses for each. This usually isn’t a consideration if the employee carries a laptop back and forth.
Although laptops are usually more expensive, this may be a better solution. Laptops may be either dedicated
to a single employee (probably one that telework’s frequently), or they may be shared; e.g. checked-out by
employees who will be teleworking.
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Software: Things to consider are licensing and software version compatibility. Employers that do not
use an office network may want to consider software for teleworkers that allows them to swap files between
their office and home machines.
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Network Access: This allows a teleworker to connect to the office network, usually via a
Virtual Private Network (VPN), which gives the home computer access to the organization’s network over a
secure Internet connection. When employees are connected in this way they may have access to all the
information at home that they would have at work, which can enhance the potential for teleworker productivity.
Employees who are not able to access the corporate network or web-based tools and applications, may not be as
productive. They will most likely rely on email or portable storage devices, like flash drives, to move files
back and forth between the office and home. If they forget files that they need at home, they may have to ask
coworkers to email what they need.
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Internet Connectivity: Some employees have work that requires a great deal of time on the Internet,
making a high-speed connection essential. Some employers require that employees provide this while other
employers are willing to pay for it. Some employers couple it with VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) to
provide a low-cost telephone service with the same connection.
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Telephones: For employees that will be making and receiving client calls from the home office,
the employers may want to install a separate telephone line or have a home-office phone connected to to the
organization's central phone system. Some employers provide cell phones or PDAs. On the other hand, if
employees seldom use the telephone for work, or only telework occasionally, their own home phone may be all
that is required. As with computer connectivity, there are numerous vendors offering solutions. The decision
of what level of telephone connectivity to supply will also depend on the size of your organization and the
number of teleworkers, and the number anticipated. Organizations may want to discuss options with their
current vendor.
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Other Devices: Will the teleworker need other equipment, like a printer or fax machine? Since
printers don’t have the same security considerations as computers, employers are often content to let
employees use their own. Some employers will provide paper or cover the cost of ink or toner. It’s
one more consideration in forming a telework policy. If employers want the employee to have web
conferencing capability, a webcam will be required.
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Office Furniture: Few employers provide office furniture to the home worker. The most common
exception is for an office chair. For health and safety reasons, some employers require that teleworkers
have an ergonomically designed office chair. Since these chairs are often more expensive than typical
office chairs, the employer may provide the chair or reimburse some or all of the cost.
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Office Supplies: Employers typically provide printer paper, pens, pencils, post-it-notes and
other small office supplies. Some employers purchase gift cards from office supply stores that teleworkers
can use for supplies.
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Tools, equipment, and security are discussed in greater detail in the toolkit's
Technology Section.
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