Is Telecommuting Super-eminent for Employees?
Telecommuting or telework is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or other locations. Telework is a broader term, referring to substituting telecommunications for any form of work-related travel, thereby eliminating the distance restrictions of telecommuting. A person who telecommutes is known as a "telecommuter". A frequently repeated motto is that "work is something you do, not something you travel to".
A successful telecommuting program requires a management style which is based on results and not on close scrutiny of individual employees. This is referred to as management by objectives as opposed to management by observation. The terms telecommuting and telework were coined by Jack Nilles in 1973
Whether you're a manager interested in boosting productivity or a new parent who wants to find a way to work while spending time at home, telecommuting has become very popular in the workplace.
But for employees and employers alike, telecommuting can be challenging; especially for those accustomed to traditional office settings. As with most things, there are both pros and cons. Let's start with the pluses of telecommuting:
No matter how advanced technology becomes, it still doesn't quite beat face-to-face interactions. In a traditional office setting, employees engage each other in a lunch room, chat in a hallway, or interact in any number of ways. And they don't just talk shop either. Small talk when limited can be a healthy part of the office culture.
Telecommuting limits these vital communications. In fact, one study by the Lally School of Management & Technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that in-office staff reported a decrease in satisfaction with work-at-home colleagues. Why the dissatisfaction? Perhaps because office-based employees perceive telecommuters have more freedom. For telecommuting employees, then, one of the disadvantages of working from home may be dealing with the misconceptions and grumblings of in-office colleagues.
Some companies that support telecommuting may not have clear guidelines in place. It's important to have clearly written and communicated policies related to telecommuting. If employees aren't told that they should be reachable during business hours, or that they may need to come into the office for scheduled meetings, it can create frustration and misunderstandings about the role of the employer and the employee in a telecommuting situation.
Working from home requires only modest incremental demands on energy for heating, cooling and lighting needs, and makes effective use of existing building space and facilities.
Directly or indirectly it helps preserves Our Environment by reducing land use requirements for highway expansion and by reducing slow-moving automobile emissions.
It is said the telecommuting improves Health by reducing stress related to compromises made between Family and Work. The stress associated with commuting back and forth to work away from the home is real, and telecommuting offers a renewed opportunity for workers to rediscover the joys of working from their homes.
Allows selection of a remote worksite that is mutually acceptable to all family members and allows you with an opportunity to pursue your career. Telecommuting affords an employee the freedom to look for another place to live, where he or she can feel comfortable both from a social, as well as an economic standpoint and live near people that have common interests. The effect of telecommuting is increase in the overall employee productivity while keeping loyal and productive employees on board. Telecommuting is simply a term that means working from a remote location, often a home office. Telecommuters can be employees or independent contractors. However, many assume telecommuting means employment, so it is always best to clarify. Independent contractors, often known as freelancers or consultants, are usually paid on a project basis. Company expects from an employee to direct day-to-day actions. Independent contractors have a lot more flexibility in this area since the end product is usually all their clients are interested in.
Telecommuting or telework is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or other locations. Telework is a broader term, referring to substituting telecommunications for any form of work-related travel, thereby eliminating the distance restrictions of telecommuting. A person who telecommutes is known as a "telecommuter". A frequently repeated motto is that "work is something you do, not something you travel to".
A successful telecommuting program requires a management style which is based on results and not on close scrutiny of individual employees. This is referred to as management by objectives as opposed to management by observation. The terms telecommuting and telework were coined by Jack Nilles in 1973
Whether you're a manager interested in boosting productivity or a new parent who wants to find a way to work while spending time at home, telecommuting has become very popular in the workplace.
But for employees and employers alike, telecommuting can be challenging; especially for those accustomed to traditional office settings. As with most things, there are both pros and cons. Let's start with the pluses of telecommuting:
No matter how advanced technology becomes, it still doesn't quite beat face-to-face interactions. In a traditional office setting, employees engage each other in a lunch room, chat in a hallway, or interact in any number of ways. And they don't just talk shop either. Small talk when limited can be a healthy part of the office culture.
Telecommuting limits these vital communications. In fact, one study by the Lally School of Management & Technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that in-office staff reported a decrease in satisfaction with work-at-home colleagues. Why the dissatisfaction? Perhaps because office-based employees perceive telecommuters have more freedom. For telecommuting employees, then, one of the disadvantages of working from home may be dealing with the misconceptions and grumblings of in-office colleagues.
Some companies that support telecommuting may not have clear guidelines in place. It's important to have clearly written and communicated policies related to telecommuting. If employees aren't told that they should be reachable during business hours, or that they may need to come into the office for scheduled meetings, it can create frustration and misunderstandings about the role of the employer and the employee in a telecommuting situation.
Working from home requires only modest incremental demands on energy for heating, cooling and lighting needs, and makes effective use of existing building space and facilities.
Directly or indirectly it helps preserves Our Environment by reducing land use requirements for highway expansion and by reducing slow-moving automobile emissions.
It is said the telecommuting improves Health by reducing stress related to compromises made between Family and Work. The stress associated with commuting back and forth to work away from the home is real, and telecommuting offers a renewed opportunity for workers to rediscover the joys of working from their homes.
Allows selection of a remote worksite that is mutually acceptable to all family members and allows you with an opportunity to pursue your career. Telecommuting affords an employee the freedom to look for another place to live, where he or she can feel comfortable both from a social, as well as an economic standpoint and live near people that have common interests. The effect of telecommuting is increase in the overall employee productivity while keeping loyal and productive employees on board. Telecommuting is simply a term that means working from a remote location, often a home office. Telecommuters can be employees or independent contractors. However, many assume telecommuting means employment, so it is always best to clarify. Independent contractors, often known as freelancers or consultants, are usually paid on a project basis. Company expects from an employee to direct day-to-day actions. Independent contractors have a lot more flexibility in this area since the end product is usually all their clients are interested in.