Truth vs. Myth

Some companies may be hesitant to consider a telework program, simply because the concept is foreign to them. Below is a chart to help employers understand the common misconceptions about teleworking:

Myth	Truth
* "All of my employees will want to telework"	Only about 20% of employees wish they could telework **
* "Telework is a full-time arrangement"	Most employees only telework 1-3 days a week
* "Teleworkers are out of sight, out of mind."	With modern technology teleworkers share seamless communication with their office and clients, at all times.
* As a manager, how will I know the telework employees are actually working?"	If your employees are communicating with you, and their assignments are completed on schedule–then your employees are working.
"Teleworking is really just a substitute for dependent care."	Teleworkers have work to complete, and must arrange for dependant care just as they would if they were working in the office.
"Teleworking and telemarketing are the same thing."	Teleworking is working remotely from a main office, while communicating with the workplace via email, phone, fax or modem. Telemarketing is the practice of selling goods or services over the phone.

*used with permission from Arlington Transportation Partners
**Source: Telework Survey by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.