The HR Specialist

In addition to providing plain-English HR advice that tells readers what they can do, not just what they can’t do, The HR Specialist shows HR professionals how to raise the profile of the HR function from the back office to the boardroom. Readers will find personal success by developing innovative solutions to general management problems.  Learn more about The HR Specialist and the two free reports you'll get when you subscribe...

Q. More employees are asking to telecommute, as are prospective hires for difficult-to-fill positions. If we have such a policy, what should be included to ensure there isn’t any favoritism among workers?

A. Telecommuting, or teleworking, is an arrangement in which an employee works from home on a regular basis. A policy should stress that the standards set for professionalism, work output and amount of time worked remain the same.

It should provide that the company may change or end the arrangement at any time, state that the teleworking employee’s work space will be considered an extension of the company’s space, and make clear that all equipment provided by the company remains the company’s property. Consider having the employee sign an inventory of all company property received.

The employee still is subject to all company policies and relevant laws.