Working in your own workspace in your own home, or ‘teleworking’, is becoming increasingly popular. Modern communication technologies also make teleworking easier to organize and more and more companies are offering such an option. Is it a fad, or is teleworking a solution to traffic jam problems? Who benefits from teleworking?
Technology
For a number of years now, there have been techniques that have made the boss’s options for working from home more visible. A few years ago, the working from home package consisted of a bag full of files and a telephone connection, but nowadays an internet connection makes it possible to work from home as if you were just in the office.
Working from home or teleworking
When we talk about working from home , we mainly mean work that you can do for a client at home. Consider, for example, packaging work or telephone marketing. By teleworking we mean work that you would normally do in the office, but now do at a private workplace via telecommunications. TNO uses the following definition for teleworking: , work that is carried out remotely from the employee or client using information and communication technology (ICT) ,
Not everything is suitable
It goes without saying that not all work can be done as home work or teleworking. Consider, for example, factory work, teaching, nursing, etc. Teleworking mainly involves administrative tasks, for which you mainly need a computer.
Benefits of teleworking
There may be advantages to teleworking for employees and employers:
- No travel time, so no traffic jams. The employee saves time. This gives the employee more peace of mind and the employer knows that his staff can be deployed optimally.
- Fewer workplaces need to be set up in the office. This saves space, equipment and inventory. An advantage for the employer.
- More flexible use of working hours. The employee can more easily arrange his/her working hours, so that there is also time during the day to take the children to school, cook dinner, etc. A good agreement with the employer about this flexible commitment is then necessary!
- Higher labor participation through more flexible deployment of manpower over the available hours.
- More independence. The teleworker determines much more for himself which tasks are done in which order.
- Lower absenteeism, if you are not completely fit you can often still do your work. This advantage is also a disadvantage!
- Generally also higher productivity. Less time is lost in traffic jams and working time can be used optimally.
- More peace during work, less distraction.
Cons
Although there are clearly a number of advantages of teleworking, not everything should be overly optimistic. There are also some disadvantages:
- It is difficult to call in sick on a day when you are supposed to be working from home. You don’t have to leave the house, so you can always work, even if you are not completely fit. That also causes stress.
- Because you work long hours at home, the company (too) quickly assumes that you are always available for work at home. This in turn means that days off can also become working days in a certain sense. The pressure to be and remain accessible is increasing. This is also a risk during holiday periods. The employer may be aware of an employee’s holiday, but some colleagues may not. A call is quickly made, and thanks to the smartphone, emails come in day and night.
- Consulting with a colleague about a specific file, problem or question is more difficult. You cannot ‘casually’ meet each other for a short consultation.
- It is more difficult to complete a certain quota of work. What is the reason if a certain file takes a lot of time? Is it the file itself, or is it the home circumstances?
- The employer has no real direct control over the employee or the work performed. This creates uncertainty for the employer, but indirectly also pressure for the employee.
- The employee does not want to abuse teleworking and therefore wants to work full hours. Moments of relaxation at the company, coffee breaks or chats with colleagues, are not always taken at home.
Balance
As you can see, some advantages are also disadvantages. It is up to the employee to find a good balance between the possibilities offered and a balanced task assignment. Teleworking is a matter of trust. If there is no relationship of trust between employer and employee, teleworking almost certainly leads to conflicts. It is always very important to make good agreements regarding available hours, working hours, the task to be performed and the way in which this work can be checked or assessed.
Technology
Teleworking has started hesitantly since the 1980s. Teleworking received a significant boost with the development of new technologies. Think of e-mail traffic, the development of fast and even wireless internet. Using techniques such as remote desktop, you can easily log in to the company systems with your personal login name and password. You can work as if you were at work.
Government
Teleworking is encouraged by the government. Teleworking contributes to reducing traffic jams and thus contributes to a better economy. Waiting times in traffic jams cost time and therefore money. Teleworking can also stimulate the participation of more people in the labor market.
In short
Teleworking offers benefits for employees, employers and the government. The central conditions for teleworking are in the area of trust and good agreements. In this way, teleworking can be an advantage for all parties!