From Library Journal
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the most recent clean air legislation requiring employee trip reduction programs have confounded many a manager. Compliance with the mandates is often quite difficult, as the controlling infrastructure was built in another time with a different set of social criteria. Kugelmass's work is based on his experience with a task force charged with implementing a flexible work program at the University of California, Davis. His title serves as a good introduction and how-to on the subject of flexible work arrangements. Writing from a managerial viewpoint, the author makes a strong case for flexible working arrangements and provides some guidance for starting a flex-time program. Serious sociologists and organizational behaviorists will most likely be disappointed, but the practicing manager will find the book of some value.Steven Silkunas, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, PhiladelphiaCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The promise of telecommuting, work at home or at a remote location using a computer or other telecommunications technology, has been around for more than a decade, but it has only barely begun to be fulfilled. Furthermore, most of the literature touting that promise has targeted the potential telecommuter, who has never been in a position to make the necessary changes in management policy and working arrangements. Kugelmass helped initiate and implement one of the largest flexible work policies in California at the University of California, Davis, and this book grew out of his experiences there. He explains the benefits and challenges of flexible working arrangements and discusses how to select and manage flexible workers. Most of his book addresses such practical considerations as inaugurating a workplace discussion of the issues, choosing work centers, assigning supervisors, budgeting and funding, setting policies, and training. This guide will be of value to any organization--and its employees--considering such work arrangements. David Rouse

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Organizations of all sizes and types are finding that flexible work policies offer concrete benefits for both telecommuting employees and the organization. Employees are more productive and loyal, absenteeism decreases, overhead is reduced, and environmental regulations are easier to meet. In fact, ever-increasing advances in telecommunications and the accompanying cost savings suggest that telecommuting will soon become a necessity for companies that wish to stay competitive. Part I of Telecommuting provides all the information needed to familiarize the manager with all aspects of telecommuting including its benefits and potential pitfalls; the variety of programs that can be chosen such as flextime, flexiplace, and remote work centers; and examples from private and public sector organizations that have been on the forefront of flexible work. Joel Kugelmass discusses the selection of workers and jobs that are compatible with flexible work, security and insurance issues, as well as the technologies of telecommuting. In Part II, Kugelmass provides the manager with a ten-step plan for setting up and implementing a successful telecommuting program. Kugelmass offers detailed advice on conducting the initial discussions of telecommuting, goal-setting, group structuring, budgeting, training managers and telecommuters, formalizing telecommuting agreements, resolving problems, and, finally, evaluating the program. Telecommuting is not without its risks, but rather than shy away from them, Kugelmass shows how they can be managed and minimized in any corporate setting. Accessible, comprehensive, and practical, Telecommuting is sure to become the indispensable reference for any manager whose responsibilities extend beyond today's office into the workplaces of the future.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

The Americans with Disabilities Act and the most recent clean air legislation requiring employee trip reduction programs have confounded many a manager. Compliance with the mandates is often quite difficult, as the controlling infrastructure was built in another time with a different set of social criteria. Kugelmass's work is based on his experience with a task force charged with implementing a flexible work program at the University of California, Davis. His title serves as a good introduction and how-to on the subject of flexible work arrangements. Writing from a managerial viewpoint, the author makes a strong case for flexible working arrangements and provides some guidance for starting a flex-time program. Serious sociologists and organizational behaviorists will most likely be disappointed, but the practicing manager will find the book of some value.-Steven Silkunas, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, Philadelphia

BookList - David Rouse