ManagementHuman Resource ManagementOrganizational BehaviorEmployee RelationsLabor RelationsWorkforce PlanningCareer DevelopmentHuman Resource PlanningStaffingWork DesignWorkforce ManagementWorking HoursDepartmental LeadershipOrganizational ManagersProductive CapabilitiesProductivityTelecommuting EffectsWork From Home
Douglas Willet, second vice president of human resources at The Travelers Companies in Hartford, Connecticut, was hesitant when a human resources director who reports to him wanted to telecommute. He feared her communication with her 15 direct reports would suffer, impacting the quality of work in the department. Willet needn't have worried. Not only have departmental communications improved, but so have productivity and quality of work. The experience at The Travelers isn't unusual. As increasing numbers of employers experiment with telecommuting, they're finding that the real benefits of having employees work at home may lie in the development of more effective managers and more productive employees.