Mobile workforce saves day

Technology might help keep workers connected while they're away from the office during the blizzard, but that may not stem any losses.

A number of companies sent workers home early on Tuesday and many stayed home on Wednesday, resulting in lost revenues. Productivity has been reduced this week already with many workers checking the Internet for weather updates or talking to colleagues about it, said Mary Lynn Fayoumi, president and CEO of The Management Association of Illinois in Downers Grove.

“Everything from medical appointments to nail appointments are being canceled or rescheduled,” Fayoumi said. “And a lot of other products and services won't be purchased this week due to the weather.”

While retailers like hardware and grocery stores will sell a lot of necessities, other businesses could suffer the loss of an unknown amount of revenue. Couple the effects of the weather and the tough economy, and whipsawed business owners and corporate executives will undoubtedly take some hits. Because of that, many are trying to remain open in some way, even remotely.

AT&T's Midwest headquarters in Hoffman Estates and offices in Chicago were open Wednesday, said AT&T spokeswoman Brooke Vane.

Hoffman Estates-based Sears' Support Center was opened for essential personnel and employees were asked to use their best judgment to decide whether or not to come in to the office. Most employees are working remotely using laptops and the Web to access e-mail, said Sears spokeswoman Kim Freely.

Naperville-based Tellabs Inc. remains open with employees inside, while others are working remotely, said spokesman George Stenitzer.

Many others closed, including Abbott Laboratories in Lake County and Motorola Solutions in Arlington Heights and Schaumburg.

“We have approximately 4,000 workers using our remote access systems, which represents the vast majority of the work force in northern Illinois,” Motorola Solutions spokeswoman Tama McWhinney said.

Motorola Mobility said it closed its Libertyville campus and Chicago office on Wednesday with plans to reopen on Thursday, said spokeswoman Juli Burda.

Also, bank closures require notice or permission under the Illinois Banking Emergencies Act. Banks, including Naperville-based First Community Bank, are following such rules, said President J. Patrick Benton.

“Most banking decisions can be deferred for a day if a client is unable to get to the bank,” Benton said.

MB Financial Bank said some key staffers stayed at local hotels so they could be on hand Wednesday. Many branches remained open, said MB Financial spokeswoman Karen Perlman.

Other banks also are closed, including First American Bank, with operations in Dundee.

Naperville-based Tellabs Inc., a global network equipment maker, said its work force can work remotely. “Most of us have laptops, iPads, BlackBerries and other devices that keep us in touch with customers and with each other,” Stenitzer said. “Our customer services team and our IT department are equipped to work from home as needed. But we can't estimate a percentage, since each work group is making an independent decision on whether its employees can work from home.”

Naperville-based Nicor Gar also remained open 24/7 in case customers who receive natural gas in their homes for heating or cooking were affected by the storm. Administrative workers have the technology to work at home.

“We have augmented our crews and are prepared for emergencies, so we have to remain open,” said Nicor spokeswoman Annette Martinez.

Still others had some fun with the blizzard. Liberty Tax Service franchise owner David Rocci in Plainfield kept his doors open for 24 hours for a so-called “Snowstorm Sleepover Party.”

“We had just over a dozen employees and friends of employees stay,” said Rocci. “We also went on air with a couple radio stations and offered 50 percent off to anyone braving the blizzard to come out and we had a handful of people come out and get their taxes done. Power stayed on so that's great.”