Telecommuting on the Rise
ningcontentEmployees hesitant to embrace
Telecommuting is widespread, and the next half decade will see a rise in the practice. It is common at more than two-thirds of companies for employees to work off-site, according to an OfficeTeam survey of 150 executives from the largest firms in the United States, more than four-fifths of whom also say that they expect the number of employees who work remotely to increase in the next five years.
Despite the apparent acknowledgment by major firms’ executives that telecommuting is a legitimate practice, a majority of office workers fear that telecommuting can hurt their career prospects, according to a survey of 700 white collar workers by office environments manufacturer Steelcase Inc. Almost half of participants in the Steelcase study work at companies that allow them to telecommute, but less than a third take advantage, largely due to perceptions that working away from home will hinder their chances at a promotion due to the lack of contact with the employer (64%). Additionally, most employees feel that their companies prefer them in the office to control their work environment (72%), and to prevent a decline in productivity (71%). Other findings from the Steelcase Workplace Index Survey include:
80% of respondents believe telecommuting is a trend that will continue to grow over the next five years
32% of respondents telecommute
46% of respondents’ companies allow them to telecommute
62% of respondents believe companies prefer them in the office to prevent a lack of communication; 41% believe it is because of the cost of the technology involved
Notably, 37% of white collar workers telecommute in order to reduce their carbon footprint, Steelcase’s survey reveals. “Rising fuel prices are causing people to look for alternatives to lengthy commutes, and working from home or at locations closer to home are attractive options,” says Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam.
Article courtesy of Kennedy Information Recruiting Trends providing leading edge insights and strategies for the recruiting professional
