Telecommuting is becoming more common, thanks to the proliferation of wireless technologies and feature-rich Internet applications.
More than half (58 per cent) of chief information officers (CIOs) surveyed for a study by Robert Half Technology say their companies' information technology (IT) workforce is telecommuting at a rate that is the same or higher than five years ago.
Only five per cent said IT staff work remotely less frequently today than five years ago.
Increased productivity, and improved retention and morale were cited as the greatest benefits among firms that allow telecommuting.
The poll includes responses from more than 270 CIOs from a random sample of Canadian companies with 100 or more employees. "Enhanced connectivity tools provide IT professionals greater flexibility and the option to work even when they are away from the office," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, a provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis.
"For some, working from home on occasion can result in greater productivity because there are fewer interruptions than in the office," Lee said. "Many IT professionals also appreciate not having to commute every day given today's high gasoline prices."
However, survey respondents indicated that telecommuting programs can have drawbacks. More than a third (38 per cent) of all CIOs surveyed felt that quality of work suffers due to diminished in-person contact with colleagues. Furthermore, close to a quarter (21 per cent) of CIOs surveyed felt that telecommuting employees are not as productive because they have less oversight.
"Telecommuting isn't a viable option for every type of employee in every scenario," Lee says.
"Managers who need face-to-face interaction with staff, or individuals who meet frequently with clients, for example, may find that working from home hampers their ability to build strong business relationships."
While telecommuting can benefit employers and employees alike, it's important that companies have the appropriate infrastructure in place to facilitate staff working remotely.
For example, more than a quarter of CIOs (27 per cent) surveyed felt that telecommuting employees generate too many security risks because they need to access elements such as corporate networks, systems and intellectual property offsite.
Clearly communicating guidelines about telecommuting is necessary, says Lee. "It's important that employers set expectations upfront about who can telecommute and how often they can do so, in order to avoid misunderstandings that might arise during a project."
