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Virtual private networks, VPNs, made the dreams of many former cubicle dwellers come true. Many companies will permit their office workers to do their work from their homes through a VPN.
The benefits to the company are enormous. There is relatively little cost to setting up a VPN as compared to setting someone up with an office. For businesses that allow many workers to telecommute, the company can rent less office space. That means the company is able to save money on overhead for the entire length of the employee’s tenure there.
Another benefit is that many telecommuting employees, and their employers, report that they are more productive as telecommuters. While many people fear that workers will goof off, watch movies with the xvid codec from xvid or download music and not really work, the truth is that most employees spend more time working because they aren’t distracted by co-workers stopping by, office birthday parties, and other common workplace happenings.
The key to success when using a VPN to keep up with telecommuting employees is to keep decent tabs on everyone. Make sure that employees are doing a reasonable amount of work. Check in from time to time using chatting software. Review your employee’s performance often to find any problems.
You also should have employees come together face-to-face a few times. When people don’t feel part of a group, they often have less loyalty than they would otherwise. You should strive to have a monthly dinner or a quarterly picnic so that your employees still get to know each other.
Using a VPN, though, can mean huge benefits for your company. Employees need to call out less because they can work from home when they are slightly sick or when a child is ill. Employees also feel more rested because they don’t have commutes, and their paychecks stretch farther without the costs of office work.
