Teleworking is a smart way of working no matter what your company size or your business sector. It can be done occasionally or regularly by any staff member that performs well and can work independently. This page contains the following information about teleworking:

What is teleworking?

If you work off-site away from your office and colleagues then you are a teleworker.

It’s called many things, such as e-working or telecommuting, but it is just about working from anywhere – substituting technology for commuter travel to an office. Teleworking is a valuable part of a flexible and productive workplace and has measurable bottom-line benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive business surveys in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada[1] have shown measurable benefits to business:

10-20% increase in productivity (less distractions, less stress)
Average 6 days less absenteeism per person a year (less sickness, less stress)
At least 4 days in time saved from the daily commute (and up to 15 days for long distances)
Up to NZD$12,000 bottom-line business savings per employee who teleworks 2 days per week.

Often one of the more stressful times of an employee’s day is their commute to work, removing this stress a couple of times a week creates much happier employees who are more likely to stay with your company.

Read more about the benefits for your business and the wider community:

Get started!

Plan and pilot teleworking to fit your business using the Get Started guide (PDF 213KB)

Case studies

See how other companies telework and the benefits to their business by reading these case studies (PDF 192KB)

We want to hear from you if you have your own success story to share. Get in touch and tell us how teleworking is benefiting your business.

Resources and contact

Here links to more resources and information to help you plan, pilot and implement teleworking in your business.

Health and safety

Both employer and employee are responsible for the health and safety of a teleworker under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

A sample of teleworking websites that provide materials that can be used directly or adapted to suit your business and will answer all your questions.