Teleworking and Flexible Scheduling

Employers can promote teleworking and scheduling programs to help workers avoid commuting during typical rush hour periods. Offering such options also can be helpful in workforce competition -- recruiting and retaining workers who may prefer less typical work hours or spending less time driving in rush hour. Getting that competitive edge can be especially important in Central Pennsylvania with its relatively low unemployment rate.

Obviously, scheduling options may not be right for every employer, since they affect staffing times and worker physical location. Part of the Commuter Services’ free employer counseling is to help identify which options might work best in each situation.

Creative scheduling programs can stand alone or be in addition to other efforts to help workers find options (such as carpooling, transit or vanpooling), so an employer’s program is tailored to specific needs.

Teleworking

Teleworking options may include “working from home,” remote access to email and/or work servers, teleconferencing meetings, or sending files and paperwork electronically from home. Teleworking has been shown to improve productivity, reduce overhead and other costs, minimize space requirements, and boost employee morale.

Flexible Scheduling

Flexible scheduling options include flextime, compressed workweeks, and staggered start times or work shifts. By getting employees out of rush hour traffic, these options also can help ensure that workers get to the job on time and meet other important employer goals.

• Staggered time arrangements structure core working hours outside of the usual schedules of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Flextime allows employees to adjust their start and stop times around a core set of office hours.
• Compressed workweeks allow employees to work longer hours but fewer days, such as four 10-hour days weekly.

Commuter Services can help employers identify alternative work schedule options that work best. To get started, Email Commuter Services or call 1.866.579.RIDE.