Monday
Feb072000
158 - Special Report: Ford and Delta Airlines Subsidize Workforce Home PC's
February 7, 2000
Special Report: Ford and Delta Airlines Subsidize Workforce Home PC's
A new type of program smashed onto the corporate scene this week, as Ford
and Delta Airlines, introduced a low-cost "Get a PC for Your Home" program.
Both employers have offered their worldwide workforce the opportunity to get
a state of the air home computer and unlimited internet access for as little
as $5 per month. What do these programs mean for e-learning and HR
processes?
* Workers can use these computers to access e-learning programs for their
families. Ford workers already have a range of training programs available
for their families. Through the corporate subsidized programs, watch for a
wider range of non-work related training offerings.
* Workers will be able to access e-learning for work specific and career
development objectives. These new world wide networks will extend the
ability of a worker to take learning activities anytime, right from their
home. We will be watching to see how compensation issues play into these
programs. Will a unionized worker have an overtime compensation claim for
time spent on their PC's in learning programs?
* Workers and their families will be able to conduct more of their HR
related activities through web based forms at home. For example, a worker
and their spouse will have the ability to access their 401K plans and make
choices right from their home based PC. We would expect greater levels of
family involvement and knowledge of these decisions as at-home access is
created.
* Delta is also providing employees with access to their entire corporate
network from home. Scheduling will be available on these PC's, allowing
employees to view and revise schedules from their homes. Email accounts
will be available to each employee, exempt from corporate monitoring or
content regulations.
As these programs spread, it will be a great boost to the e-learning
movement. Hundreds of thousands of devices will now be available for use
in e-learning settings. The MASIE Center believes it will be a high energy
accelerant for the growth of on-line and e-learning.
Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* The Business of On-Line and e-Learning Conference: Seattle, Washington -
March 27 and 28th. Only 95 seats left in this vendor only conference.
Check www.masie.com for details and registration.
* e-Learning Briefing: Washington, DC - April 13 and 14th. How to
implement e-learning in your organization. The only vendor-neutral summary
of e-learning approaches and technologies. www.masie.com for details and
registration.
A new type of program smashed onto the corporate scene this week, as Ford
and Delta Airlines, introduced a low-cost "Get a PC for Your Home" program.
Both employers have offered their worldwide workforce the opportunity to get
a state of the air home computer and unlimited internet access for as little
as $5 per month. What do these programs mean for e-learning and HR
processes?
* Workers can use these computers to access e-learning programs for their
families. Ford workers already have a range of training programs available
for their families. Through the corporate subsidized programs, watch for a
wider range of non-work related training offerings.
* Workers will be able to access e-learning for work specific and career
development objectives. These new world wide networks will extend the
ability of a worker to take learning activities anytime, right from their
home. We will be watching to see how compensation issues play into these
programs. Will a unionized worker have an overtime compensation claim for
time spent on their PC's in learning programs?
* Workers and their families will be able to conduct more of their HR
related activities through web based forms at home. For example, a worker
and their spouse will have the ability to access their 401K plans and make
choices right from their home based PC. We would expect greater levels of
family involvement and knowledge of these decisions as at-home access is
created.
* Delta is also providing employees with access to their entire corporate
network from home. Scheduling will be available on these PC's, allowing
employees to view and revise schedules from their homes. Email accounts
will be available to each employee, exempt from corporate monitoring or
content regulations.
As these programs spread, it will be a great boost to the e-learning
movement. Hundreds of thousands of devices will now be available for use
in e-learning settings. The MASIE Center believes it will be a high energy
accelerant for the growth of on-line and e-learning.
Upcoming MASIE Center Events:
* The Business of On-Line and e-Learning Conference: Seattle, Washington -
March 27 and 28th. Only 95 seats left in this vendor only conference.
Check www.masie.com for details and registration.
* e-Learning Briefing: Washington, DC - April 13 and 14th. How to
implement e-learning in your organization. The only vendor-neutral summary
of e-learning approaches and technologies. www.masie.com for details and
registration.
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