Managers, employees show some discomfort with remote working 11 July, 2008 By Mark Cox

The surveys were conducted by an independent research firm and developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. The first survey is based on telephone interviews with 492 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment. The second survey is based on telephone interviews with 150 senior executives from the largest companies in the United States.

Employees were asked, "In your opinion, would it make your job easier or more difficult if you reported to a manager who didn't work in the same location as you?" Their responses:

Much more difficult................... 27%

Somewhat more difficult............ 21%

Neither easier nor more difficult.. 26%

Somewhat easier..................... 13%

Much easier............................ 8%

Don't know............................. 5%

Executives were asked, "How important is it for all of the members of your department to work from the same location?" Their responses:

Very important........................ 13%

Somewhat important................ 45%

Somewhat unimportant............. 29%

Not important......................... 12%

"Technological advances and global expansion have made it more common and acceptable for people to work remotely," said Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam. "In some instances, it's hard to avoid."

Willmer noted this presents some communication challenges. "Those who work outside the office must go the extra mile to make sure they keep the lines of communication open," he said.

OfficeTeam offers the following tips to help professionals who work remotely stay connected with their colleagues and managers:

Provide frequent status reports. Establish a schedule for giving updates to your supervisor so he or she is aware of your workload. At a minimum, offer a weekly status report detailing tasks completed and in progress.

Pick up the phone. While e-mail is an effective communication method, using the telephone can sometimes be more efficient and help strengthen ties with your manager and coworkers.

Highlight your accomplishments. When you don't see your supervisor regularly, tooting your own horn becomes even more important to get proper credit for your achievements.

Meet face to face. Take advantage of all opportunities to meet in person with your manager and colleagues. These discussions are imperative to stay connected, avoid miscommunication, and ensure you stay top of mind for desirable projects and promotions.