question archive Teleworking has become the norm in majority of the United States in the past year due to the coronavirus and this has allowed companies to save on resources that would have potentially been expended if in the workplace
Teleworking has become the norm in majority of the United States in the past year due to the coronavirus and this has allowed companies to save on resources that would have potentially been expended if in the workplace
Subject:SociologyPrice: Bought3
Teleworking has become the norm in majority of the United States in the past year due to the coronavirus and this has allowed companies to save on resources that would have potentially been expended if in the workplace. Teleworking has become extremely important to some organizations simply because it has allowed their companies to survive through the pandemic without concerns on spreading the virus or any disease for that matter. The advantages to teleworking are obvious, the increased flexibility, better work-life balance, virtually no commuting time (Steidmuller, 2020) to name a few. Some others being it allows the worker to save on their finances with no commutes, no need for childcare and not having to pay for parking when applicable to the place of employment. In a study conducted by Accenture global research of 4100 United States business executives said that technology enabled them to be more flexible with their schedules, and around 80 percent of the respondents named flexibility in their schedules as being extremely important for balancing work and personal life” (Messenger, 2019). A very large positive in the telework business is undoubtedly the possibility of a healthier family life; this is one of the many reasons why the world is struggling to go back into the office.
While these advantages are clearly beneficial to the worker and companies, it does come with its downfalls. Working from home or a telework setting provides more freedom at home, but it can also ask employees to work longer hours and maintain an intense working schedule (Steidmuller, 2020). This is known as “the autonomy paradox”. Another disadvantage of telework would be working while sick or ill. Since workers would not have to come to work and would be able to be in a familiar setting without any worry or concern in spreading the sickness in the workplace. Self-management can be seen as a disadvantage as well when some individuals lack the initiative to complete their work by close of business and when they do not, they can potentially be asked to work more into their own personal time. This will potentially give the employer more control over your leisure time and limit the amount of actual “free time” at home (Steidmuller, 2020).
The advantages and disadvantages for teleworking are always up for debate and can be a double-edged sword for some organizations while some can grow exponentially in this environment. Teleworking should be considered in all organizations that can conduct businesses without employees present in the workplace if the staff would be able to maintain accountability of their own work. Ensuring projects meet deadlines, communicating effectively and not crossing the line into staff members personal live. Essentially, once the workday is complete, you may send additional information for the staff member but mustn’t expect the individual to respond until normal working hours the following day. How would you manage your organization if it were to be primarily a virtual or telework environment? Would you impose schedules? Strict report times? Helicopter boss monitoring activity?
Steidelmüller, C. (2020). Home-Based Telework and Presenteeism Across Europe. Journal of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine., 62(12), 998–1005.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001992
Messenger, J. C. (2019). Telework in the 21st Century: an evolutionary perspective. Edward
Elgar Publishing.
