Abstract:The importance of a sound training program to successful telecommuting cannot be overstated. The nature of telecommuting forces a revision in the traditional concepts of work allocation and superVision. Specifically, telecommuting represents a shift in thinking from management by presence to management by objectives, and results-oriented rather than activities-oriented work. A manager supervising a remote worker must possess and exercise good management, communication, and organizational skills, providing clear direction and performance criteria. Remote workers must be self-motivated, organized, highly productive, and able to work independently. Both must operate in an organizational environment where others are knowledgeable about the telecommuting process, and cooperative with the telecommuting program itself. A strong training program serves as a basis to orient members of the organization about the opportunities and operation of telecommuting, provides impetus to the participant selection process, helps telemanager and telecommuter to sharpen skills necessary for remote work, and addresses the practical considerations of telecommuting. The purpose of this paper is to assess training needs and to examine the objectives and components of a good training program. Appended is a list of training resources currently available.