Telecommuting

Telecommuting refers to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable significant regular work to be done at sites away from a traditional workplace. Although telecommuting often takes place in a home-based location, it also takes place in a variety of flexible arrangements, including satellite and neighborhood centers. The term telework is often used interchangeably with telecommuting, and tends to be used in Britain, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Telework is a more encompassing term, and refers to the use of telecommunications to maintain work ties outside of the traditional office—at home, or on business or vacation travel.

Jack Nilles has been described as the father of telecommuting. Nilles coined the term in the 1970s in response to developing strategies for dealing with the energy crisis that the United States was experiencing—in particular, as a way to ameliorate the traffic congestion in southern California. Telecommuting is therefore seen as a mechanism to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and this is a key distinction between the conception of telecommuting in the United States and telework in other countries. Although Nilles' original predictions for the massive growth of telecommuting have not come to fruition, he is still an ardent advocate of it, predicting its exponential international growth (as many as 360 million telecommuters by 2030).

According to the International Telework Association and Council, an industry group in Washington, D.C., more than 16.5 million people in the United States, or about 12 percent of the work force, worked at home one or more days a month in 2001. Slightly more than 17 percent, or 2.8 million, of these were new tele-workers. There are 9.3 million U.S. teleworkers who telework at least one full day per week. Teleworkers are employed by small and medium sized companies, as well as large corporations.

Governments have been promoting telework, and many countries have official telework policies. For [Page 435]instance, Canada's Telework Policy has as its objective “to allow employees to work at alternative locations, thereby achieving a better balance between their work and personal lives, while continuing to contribute to the attainment of organizational goals.” The U.S. federal government is hoping to increase the number of its workers that telecommute, particularly in areas such as Washington, D.C., where traffic congestion is high. Telecommuting centers in D.C. suburbs are being created to accommodate eligible workers; however, telecommuting is not suitable for some workers who handle classified and highly sensitive materials.

While both telecommuting and telework assume a dependence on ICTs, there are many variables in the nature of the work, including the location of the tele-work; the proportion of time spent telecommuting; and the relationship of the teleworker to the employer (employee, contractor).

Telecommuting has been increasingly promoted as a workplace option with benefits for both the employer and the employee. To attract and retain employees in a tight labor market, many companies have been offering flexible work arrangements as a key perk that helps to both recruit new employees and retain existing staff. For the employer, telecommuting is attractive because it promotes organizational flexibility, reduces the cost of finding office space in high-cost and crowded locales, and enhances customer service. Employers can ensure that the workforce is happier and more productive, and can hire the best people for the job, regardless of their home location. For the employee, telecommuting can be attractive because it reduces commute time and other costs (such as clothing and meals), provides a better balance of work and family life, increases productivity, and benefits workers with specific disabilities.

...