Telework Definitions, Issues and Trends

Teleworker!

What is Telework? Telework or telecommuting occurs when paid workers reduce their commute by carrying out all or part of, their work away from normal places of business, usually home. Telework or telecommuting occurs when paid workers reduce their commute by carrying out all or part of, their work away from normal places of business, usually home. Some definitions suggest that all telework must use technology Some definitions suggest that all telework must use technology Other definitions suggest that it refers only to employees. In Europe telework is employees and self-employed home based workers Other definitions suggest that it refers only to employees. In Europe telework is employees and self-employed home based workers

Discussion of Telework Bases From policy perspective, there is a risk in defining telework too narrowly. Issues such as frequency, number of hours, distance from work and method of work are variances to be worked out to meet employer needs From policy perspective, there is a risk in defining telework too narrowly. Issues such as frequency, number of hours, distance from work and method of work are variances to be worked out to meet employer needs Core element of telework is people doing work at locations different from normal Core element of telework is people doing work at locations different from normal Frequency of telework –same whether full, part time, periodic or ad-hoc. Key is the activity not frequency Frequency of telework –same whether full, part time, periodic or ad-hoc. Key is the activity not frequency

Discussions of Telework Bases Telework applies to “paid workers” which includes: Telework applies to “paid workers” which includes: Employees, self employed contractors and home based consultants using technology Employees, self employed contractors and home based consultants using technology Nature or length of commute does not matter Nature or length of commute does not matter Use of IT: technology is the enabler of telework but not always—creative work at home without technology qualifies Use of IT: technology is the enabler of telework but not always—creative work at home without technology qualifies

Factors Affecting Telework Job must be suited, at least in part, to performance at remote location Job must be suited, at least in part, to performance at remote location Capabilities and personal characteristics of employee appropriate to working without supervision Capabilities and personal characteristics of employee appropriate to working without supervision Managers must accept concept Managers must accept concept Employees must feel comfortable with telecommuting in terms of personal habits, effects on social interaction and career advancement Employees must feel comfortable with telecommuting in terms of personal habits, effects on social interaction and career advancement Suitable workplace and available technology Suitable workplace and available technology

Factors Affecting Telework Level of motivation- local transport environment will be important in establishing level of motivation Level of motivation- local transport environment will be important in establishing level of motivation Cost benefit implications for business Cost benefit implications for business Social isolation and promotion considerations Social isolation and promotion considerations

Telework Forms Electronic homework- paid full employment form home Electronic homework- paid full employment form home Telecottages-shared facilities from which teleworking to other locations can take place- shared access telework facilities in rural areas in UK/Europe Telecottages-shared facilities from which teleworking to other locations can take place- shared access telework facilities in rural areas in UK/Europe Nomadic or mobile workers- use portable ICT equipment and work from combination of locations Nomadic or mobile workers- use portable ICT equipment and work from combination of locations Remote offices- specialist offices- telephone call centers (United Awards in Huntingdon, WV) Remote offices- specialist offices- telephone call centers (United Awards in Huntingdon, WV) Group or team telework- geographically distributed work made possible by ICT Group or team telework- geographically distributed work made possible by ICT

Interactions Between Telework and Travel Substitution- telecoms decreases travel Substitution- telecoms decreases travel Enhancement- telecoms stimulates travel Enhancement- telecoms stimulates travel Operational Efficiency- telecoms improves travel by making system more efficient Operational Efficiency- telecoms improves travel by making system more efficient Indirect, Long Term Impacts- does telecoms affect location and land use? Indirect, Long Term Impacts- does telecoms affect location and land use?

Participation in Telework Americans who work from home at least one day a week million in 2004; 23.5 million in 2003 Americans who work from home at least one day a week million in 2004; 23.5 million in 2003 Full time teleworkers increased to 12.4 million from 8.8 million in 2003 (41 percent increase Full time teleworkers increased to 12.4 million from 8.8 million in 2003 (41 percent increase Dominant or typical worker is regular employee with range of skills Dominant or typical worker is regular employee with range of skills Increasingly managers are tele-commuting- why? Increasingly managers are tele-commuting- why?