How do I deal with an employee who ‘works’ from home too often?

Dear Aunty B,

One of my employees constantly takes advantage of working from home. I can’t remember the last time she spent a full month in the office. Whether it is ‘working from home’ when she has a sore throat to ‘working from home’ to attend special occasions at her kids’ schools. We do have a policy that allows people to work from home but she works from home a lot more regularly than any other employee.

I don’t mind but I do find it frustrating that I never know when she is going to be in the office. She accepts meeting invites and conference calls for days when she is out of the office, only to end up not showing up or not calling in. It wastes everyone’s time.

Amber,

Geelong

Dear Amber,

I love a day working from home. No pesky phone ringing off the hook or annoying coworkers constantly pestering me. Did I just say that out loud?

If you allow staff to work from home they need to respect the extra flexibility this allows by not taking advantage of it. You need to explain to your employee that you’re not against her working from home, but the last-minute notice is throwing everyone out and could bring an end to working from home.

Ask your employee to let you know in advance the days she will be working from home and what she can let you do to make sure you’re not scheduling things when she can’t attend.

Be Smart,

Your Aunty B