How much time is wasted in the traditional office environment? Even as the Telework Improvement Act passed the House and the numerous productivity benefits to telework are touted by congressmen and business owners, there is still a resistance to adopting telework policies within many businesses and DC government contractor agencies. The primary fear is that workers will waste time or spend time on non-work related activities, as if the traditional office environment somehow prevents employees from wasting time.
The fact is that in any office in any industry, some workers will be unproductive. Whether it is wasting time chit-chatting with co-workers, surfing the Internet, or spending too much time in the office lounge, there are always going to be those employees who choose to waste time. However, there are also going to be those employees who value their jobs and are committed to being productive.
The idea that keeping workers in a traditional office will somehow ensure they are productive falls flat in light of telework statistics and proof of maintained or increased productivity when telework is utilized. Telework Exchange revealed a recent study of Federal agency managers, showing that 66% of managers who manage teleworkers found that teleworkers are as productive as their in-office counterparts (http://www.teleworkexchange.com/pdfs/The-Benefits-of-Telework.pdf).
The study pointed to the US Patent and Trademark Offices’ telework program, which is one of the largest in the Federal government. PTO identified strong job performance as one of its key goals for its telework program. One of PTO’s pilot telework programs showed a productivity increase of 10% with no change in work quality.
Because the nature of telework focuses on results-based performance, rather than office presence, the concept of work becomes defined by accomplishing tasks. Sitting at an office desk for long hours does not necessarily mean high productivity. In fact, telework productivity is maximized when workers are allowed the flexibility to schedule their work periods according to peaks in natural productivity. As long as the worker completes required tasks and keeps work quality high, it shouldn’t matter when or how the work is accomplished.
The Right Solutions in Place Set-Up Telework Programs for Success
In order to create a foundation for telework program effectiveness, it is essential to have access to the right solutions. Innovative technologies make it possible for teleworkers to perform the same tasks remotely as they can at the office. Couple this technology with professional support services and on-demand access to DC meeting rooms and DC office space, and there is the ideal combination of technology and services to meet teleworkers’ needs.
Whether an employee wants to work remotely from a home office or requires a professional office in a regulation-compliant business location, there are solutions available to meet these needs. Using a remote office or shared office space can facilitate new business opportunities for government contractors, providing an instant competitive-edge.
Telework Solutions Provide Safety and Security for DC Government Contractors
With executive offices, workers can spend less time worrying about administrative tasks and technology support and spend more time focusing on their projects. Even more important, all executive office spaces, virtual offices and telework business solutions are secure, which enables contractors to work on confidential tasks and handle classified information discreetly.
Flexibility, professional support, advanced technology and proven security are the features that make telework and virtual office space the ideal package for government contractors DC. The doors are now wide-open for more government contractors to work remotely, and the arguments against telework are shrinking in light of its proven effectiveness. Telework and DC virtual office space provide the business solutions teleworkers require to meet and exceed job performance expectations.
For more information on Telework, Executive Office Spaces and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.
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Kathlene Buchanan is the president and founder of Metro Offices, one of the premiere, women-owned, executive office centers in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. With presence in 8 different locations throughout the capital area, Metro Offices offers a full range of innovative business solutions and advanced technologies to help businesses compete in today’s transitioning business environment. Buchanan has been in the industry since 1979, and Metro Offices has been operating since 1989 with locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.