As anyone who’s worked in an office can attest, a lot of the “on-the-job” wisdom accrued during one’s tenured is gained, quite literally, on the job.

It could be that conversation in the elevator, or that quick coffee break, or the fabled chat around the water cooler – no matter what it is, these brief, intimate, and informal discussions between co-workers help to keep them in the loop.

It’s this kind of interaction – and the value employees derive from it – that is missing when an employee works remotely.

Of course, given the benefits of telecommuting – greater productivity, higher morale, and a better environment – this one drawback shouldn’t squelch plans for allowing employees to work from home.

Rather, companies should be aware of the importance of keeping remote workers in the loop, and take concrete steps to achieve it.

As always, communication is the key. Just because you can’t pop over the adjacent cube to discuss an important matter doesn’t mean it can’t be conveyed via a phone call, e-mail, or Skype.

In addition, remote workers may occasionally work from the home office. When they do, they must not be shut out without an adequate work station; an end-to-end hoteling software platform is a must to ensure this does not occur.