Flexible scheduling and laptop use in the field. Flexibility is a fundamental benefit of mobility and provides the capability to increase opportunities to do work during the normal work day. It is counterproductive to give caseworkers a laptop but to discourage them from using it in the field. Districts should create flexible polices for scheduling visits, allow caseworkers to use laptops outside the office, and not require them to travel back to the office to document notes. One caseworker provided a good suggestion – to have locations in the field (i.e., libraries, police barracks, and community spaces) that are designated as appropriate areas to use laptops. Locations can be spread across the LDSS.

Compensation for laptop use after regular work hours. Caseworkers use the laptops most often at home to document notes. Although working from home is a sensitive topic, this study and previous studies show that districts that present favorable conditions (such as overtime or compensatory time, and supportive mobility policies) see a higher percentage of cases closed within the first 60 days¹. Supportive policies may include a pre-approval process or a cap on time; however, some type of policy that acknowledges use while at home needs to be in place.