Telecommuting is synonymous with the Work-from-Home concept, wherein the employee, instead of physically commuting between home and the workplace rather works from home and connects with the office via channels of communication such as telephone, internet, Voice over IP, videoconferencing, virtual private networks, and other options. This broad concept takes various other names such as e commuting, telework, web commuting, virtual office, electronic homework, distance work, location-independence work, micro-jobbing, co-working, nomad work, and flexiplace , depending on minor differences in the procedure adopted.In a stricter sense, "telecommuting" is the work-from-home concept wherein the worker either gets the work done or maintains an active line of contact through various communication channels like internet and telephone. Such communication links replace the daily commute to work, with the worker gaining by means of flexible working location and usually flexible hours. Telecommuting is a common option for clerical and data entry workers who can do their duties without being present in the office headquarters for the firm for whom they work.
[...] Very often, it is this lack of trust combined with a resistance to change that impedes telecommuting in most organizations.[xxix] FUTURE TRENDS The challenges and a few pitfalls apart, more and more enterprises today recognize the potential benefits of telecommuting and work towards removing the challenges and facilitate telecommuting. Until recently, it was in the Information Technology Industry that telecommuting thrived. One recent development is the expansion of telecommuting to several non-IT sectors like banking, health-care, and even manufacturing. In fact, most sectors are now inclined to bring under the preview of telecommuting most of the non-core support activities like back- end processing, data or voice support, where the physical presence of the employee at the office is not required to get work done. [...]
[...] The concept of telecommuting is also closely associated with co-working, or a group of people, who work independently, but share a common working area and the synergy that results when working with talented people in the same space. Such co-working facilities incorporate hot-desking or desk sharing, sharing of receptionists and secretaries, common office infrastructure and social areas such as a coffee shop. Co-working arrangements have in recent times evolved into remote office centers, which are distributed centers for leasing offices to individuals from multiple companies. [...]
[...] Communication Research in the Design of Communication Interfaces and Systems. Journal of Communication, v.43 (no.4): 59-68. [viii] Gilder, George. (1993). The Death of Telephony. The Economist, (Sept. 75-78 Zelinsky, Marliyn. (1994) Clean Air Mandate Spurs Telecommuting, Interiors, v 66. Siano, M. (1998, March-April). "Merging home and office: telecommuting is a high-tech energy saver" Toffler, A.; Longul, W.; Forbes, H. (1981) [xii] Zelinsky, Marliyn. (1994). Clean Air Mandate Spurs Telecommuting, Interiors, v 66. [xiii] Gantenbein, D. (1999, December). All dressed up with no place to go [Electronic version]. [...]
[...] Credit for establishing a new identity and thereby acceptance of the “home worker” concept goes to Alwin Toffler, who entrenched an image of an “electronic cottage” with the computer as a space-flexible electronic tool.[xi] ADVANTAGES Workforce flexibility Telecommuting enables performance of work anywhere and anytime. This is a win-win situation for both the employer and the employee. Telecommuting facilitates outsourcing work to remote locations where salaries and skill-sets would be more advantageous to the employer compared to that available in the catchments area of the employer's office. [...]
[...] Finding a social life away from the company work environment would offset this isolation, but in many cases, the psychological bond between the employee and the office runs deep and the ability to develop close connections with those that share the common experiences of the company and job would be lost. Loss of the accustomed office space and the associated socializing can thus lead to emotional disturbances[xxi]. The study by Roper Institute reports 24 percent of home workers missing the regular routine of work. [...]
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