REMOTE CONTROL - Accountemps Survey: Companies More Open to Remote Work Arrangements

TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2011 /CNW/ - Face time isn't what it used to be at some offices, recent research suggests. In an Accountemps survey, more than one in five (22 per cent) chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed said remote work arrangements, such as telecommuting and working from satellite offices, have increased at their companies in the last three years. Just 2 per cent of executives said these arrangements have decreased at their firms.

The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with 270 CFOs across Canada.

CFOs were asked, "Have remote work arrangements (for example, telecommuting or working from a satellite office) within your company increased, decreased or remained the same in the last three years?" Their responses:

Increased greatly .................................   5%
    Increased somewhat ................................  17%
    No change .........................................  66%
    Decreased somewhat ................................   1%
    Decreased greatly .................................   1%
    Doesn't apply/no remote work ......................  10%
                                                        ......
                                                        100%

"Providing staff with more flexibility over their work schedules can be a great incentive for employees, as well as a valuable retention tool for businesses," said Kathryn Bolt, Canadian president of Accountemps. "Many firms enjoy offering these options, which can be relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to implement, given the prevalence of mobile technologies and wireless communication."

Bolt added, "Although not all roles are suited for remote work arrangements, companies that do allow them should establish clear expectations and productivity goals with their employees."

Accountemps identifies five tips for employers and employees:

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                        Advice for employers          Advice for employees
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1. Communication    Keep remote workers in        Provide frequent status
                        the loop on the latest        updates to the boss on
                        news about the department     key projects, and look
                        and company. Don't rely       for opportunities to
                        solely on email: Schedule     interact with your
                        regular calls and             manager and colleagues.
                        in-person meetings.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2. Resources        Ensure offsite employees      If you are using your
                        have the necessary resources, own computer and phone
                        including appropriate         system, make sure
                        network access.               your equipment is
                                                      up-to-date. You should
                                                      be as productive
                                                      working remotely as you
                                                      are in the office.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    3. Planning         Establish expectations        Anticipate potential
                        and guidelines at the         concerns your employer
                        outset so you can             may have about an
                        monitor the arrangement       offsite work
                        and adjust as necessary.      arrangement and be
                                                      prepared to discuss how
                                                      you plan to handle
                                                      them.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4. Security         Work with your information    Ensure your computer
                        technology personnel to       and other equipment
                        set up the requisite          are safeguarded by
                        security protocols.           the company against
                                                      security threats.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    5. Camaraderie      To ensure remote workers      Try to join group
                        continue to feel connected    activities, from
                        to the group, include         offsite trainings to
                        them in team activities       department
                        and recognize their           celebrations,
                        accomplishments in front      as much as possible.
                        of their colleagues.          Seek input from
                                                      coworkers when
                                                      brainstorming, and
                                                      volunteer to assist
                                                      them when they need
                                                      help.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Accountemps

Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.

For further information: Contact: Nadia Santoli, [phone], [e-mail]