When employees telecommute, the boss’s biggest fear is often that productivity will sink. Here’s some advice managers can give teleworkers to make sure the job still gets done when employees stay home:

• Take care of household chores before you start working. That’ll help minimize distractions throughout the day. This is also a good way to use the time that’s saved by not having to commute.
• Stick to a schedule. If you get in the mindset that the work day begins and ends at specific times, it’ll be easier to focus than if you have no boundaries between work and home. It’ll also be easier for bosses and co-workers to contact you if they know your routine.
• Try a different location. Employees who have trouble getting things done in their homes sometimes report better results when they work in a public spot, like a coffee shop or library.
• Consider installing a separate business phone line. That way you can ignore calls that come in to your personal line, since you know they aren’t work-related.
• Indulge in your distractions — when you’re on a break. Scheduling a lunch break when you’re home is just as important as when you’re in an office.

Tags: productivity, telecommuters