Bosses Without Borders: Essential Tools for Managing Remote Workers

Posted: August 05, 2013

Happy employees should be a priority for every organization. The ability to work remotely has shown to increase employee happiness, but how can bosses make sure they're actually being as productive as they need to be? These tools will make managing remote workers easier, and result in bosses and workers being happy.

Happy employees should be a priority for every organization. The ability to work remotely has shown to increase employee happiness, but how can bosses make sure they're actually being as productive as they need to be? These tools will make managing remote workers easier, and result in bosses and workers being happy.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer made headlines in February when she banned telecommuting, as did Best Buy when it canceled its telework program shortly afterward. But according to the Families and Work Institute (PDF), remote working is on the rise: Last year 63 percent of companies reported giving employees workplace flexibility, up from 34 percent in 2005. And in a recent Gallup survey, 39 percent of employees said they spent some time working remotely. The research firm also found that remote workers put in more hours and are slightly more engaged than their office counterparts.

It’s all well and good for workers who can opt out of frazzling commutes or choose to crank out a bunch of work in their pajamas, but what about their boss? How can you know if telecommuters are working as much as they say they are, and how can you help them do their best work? Here are some of the best tools available to promote stellar communication with remote workers.

Read entire article Bosses Without Borders: Essential Tools for Managing Remote Workers on PC World