A Guide to Managing an Ageing Workforce - Public Sector ...

Case study: Public Sector Commission - Telecommuting Trial
Purpose
The Public Sector Commission (PSC) aims to provide flexible working arrangements for its employees to enable them to better manage work-life balance. The
PSC received a request from an employee to work from home one day a week. The employee had been commuting to Busselton at weekends to spend time
with his wife who was caring for a relative. The Department has an existing telecommuting policy that is available to employees on a case-by-case basis.
Formal agreement
The employee’s suitability for home based work was considered based on the essential work that can be done without direct supervision and whether this type
of work could be easily monitored.
A formal arrangement based on the telecommuting policy was approved subject to:
• a satisfactory occupational health and safety assessment of the employee’s home office and
• the employee’s availability to meet the business needs of the office, including attendance at face-to-face meetings when required
A telecommuting trial was implemented. Communication between the manager and employee was essential to establish the expectations of both parties and
the required outcomes. Meetings continued on a regular basis to monitor the progress of the agreement.
Considerations
Occupational health and safety
In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, PSC must provide a place of work, which is free from hazards. These same obligations (as
far as practicable) apply to the home based worksite. A home office assessment was conducted by a qualified occupational health & safety provider. As a result
of the assessment minor adjustments were made to the desk area, including the height of the computer monitor and the use of a document stand.
Equipment and Software
The cost effectiveness of telecommuting was considered. In this case, the employee offered to use his own PC, printer, telephone and home internet
connection. Internet usage was covered under his existing ADSL broadband account. Telephone calls initiated by the employee were made on a VOIP line at
a cost of 10c each for untimed local and long distance calls. Hence the cost of working from home in this instance was negligible.
www.publicsector.wa.gov.au A Guide to Managing an Ageing Workforce 41