Business trends change from year to year or even monthly. One of the most debated about trends is telecommuting. There are a number of views concerning Telecommuting; unfortunately, as it is a relatively recent trend there is not much info around it. Does it make employees more productive or not? Does it make them happier, lonelier, disconnected, or more connected? What about the cost for the company? Does it cost more or less? These are some of the many questions businesses must contemplate when deciding if allowing employees to telecommute fits their company’s structure and style.

This study shows there could be wonderful benefits to telecommuting.  Below we’ve outlined some pros and cons:

Pros

• Telecommuters appreciate that there is no wasted commuting time.
• Telecommuters are less stressed when working in the privacy of their own home.
• Telecommuters are happier, as they have more freedom to manage work time with their family lives. Having the freedom to pick up the kids, or work during their prime efficiency time, even if it’s midnight, can be a relief to the traditional structured nine-to-five
• Telecommuters are usually more productive.
• Self-reliance and time management skills are encouraged by telecommuting.
• Telecommuting also gives employers more freedom to hire skilled individuals minus the cost of moving them around the world.
• Telecommuting saves the company and the employee money.

Cons – of course, there is a flip side to every coin

• Telecommuting can lead to burnout and resentment of the company if they work too much.
• Telecommuters often complain of being cut off and feeling lonely or depressed from lack of socialization.
• Telecommuting can lead to a lack of motivation, as there is not a physical tie to the rest of the team.
• Telecommuting can lead to a break down in communication due to distance.
• Setting up a home office effectively can take more time than setting up in-office.

For both manager and employee, successful telecommuting takes strong communication, time management skills, and clarity of job responsibilities. We are seeing more and more people desiring an independent working environment. But in the end, whether telecommuting will work or not, depend on the company’s culture and the employees’ mindset. Tell us what you think; will telecommuting be the way most businesses are organized in the future or will it fade out?