Pros & Cons of Telecommuting

Yahoo
Pros & Cons of Telecommuting
11/29/2017

Pros & Cons of Telecommuting
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Growing Trend of Telecommuting........................................................................................................2
Pros of Telecommuting.....................................................................................................................2
Cons of Telecommuting....................................................................................................................2
Difficulties on Controlling/Supervising the Work.................................................................................2
The Case of Yahoo................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................4
References.............................................................................................................................................5
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Pros & Cons of Telecommuting
Introduction
Technology is being used and applied in the business organizations of the present era. One of the
applications of technology in businesses is the ability to allow the employees to work from home and
other locations outside of office. Telecommuting or Telework is defined as making use of computing
resources and technology outside of office to execute professional tasks and activities. It is referred as
work from home, remote working and e-commuting as well. The organizations are making sure that
the employees get the opportunity to maintain the work-life balance and are allowing such flexible
options at work. However, there are advantages and drawbacks that are associated with this scheme.
The report covers the concept of telecommuting with its pros and cons and also analyses the decision
of Yahoo to stop telecommuting.
Growing Trend of Telecommuting
Employees have the ease of access to high-speed internet connection and the practice of
telecommuting reduces the infrastructural cost for the organizations. The employees get the ability to
maintain the work-life balance allowing them to showcase higher levels of productivity (Lautsch,
Kossek & Eaton, 2009). The organizations also promote the idea of telecommuting after looking at
the increase productivity and satisfaction levels of the employees.
Pros of Telecommuting
Telecommuting allows the employees to structure their work in a better manner and as per their
productivity cycles. Such a practice promotes organizational agility as the workers have increased
freedom and job satisfaction (Shockley, 2014). The time that is spent in daily commute to the office is
allocated for the fulfilment of professional tasks and activities leading to better efficiency of the
employees.
Cons of Telecommuting
There are also a few challenges that are associated with the practice of telecommuting. It becomes
troublesome for the managers and leaders to supervise and control the sub-ordinates that
telecommute. The level of team-work, team collaboration and shared understanding may be lesser
than the teams physically located in the office (Aon, 2014). Social isolation and lack of workplace
environment are some of the other issues that may be associated with the teleworkers.
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