Beyond the Blank Page

A key element of a successful telework/telecommuting program are clear policies, guidelines, and agreements. The Denver Regional Council of Governments has a telework promotion site (and a great acronym: Dr. Cog) that includes a number of documents, including a model agreement and policy document.

When you first start exploring a telework arrangement, often there is no written policy or guideline to help you and your boss figure out what it is that you're trying to do. Using one of these documents as a foundation for your specific arrangement is a good starting point.

Plus I find it absolutely charming that so many cities and states have official telework promotion initiatives. For example, in addition to Dr. Cog, there is the federal government site, Telecommute Connecticut, Telework Arizona, and others that I've yet to find. Each of these sites has good information, training, documents that can serve as a foundation for your particular telework agreement, and links to other stuff.

Quite helpful!