Should Telecommuting Be Banned?

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer ignited a furor early this year when she sent a memo to

employees announcing the end of the company’s work-from-home policy. Although the

memo appeared to be aimed at those employees who work at home full time, it sparked

numerous discussions about the benefits and drawbacks of remote work and the struggle for

work/life balance.

Telecommuting has clearly been on the increase in recent years. According to the 2012

National Study of Employers, conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management

and the Families & Work Institute, 63 percent of employers allow their employees to work

from home at least occasionally, which is up from just 34 percent in 2005. And 85 of Fortune

magazine’s 2012 “100 Best Companies to Work For” allow telecommuting at least 20 percent

of the time.

In her memo, Mayer emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration, which

requires that employees work “side-by-side.” As a working mother, Mayer’s stance has

received even greater scrutiny. Many working parents view the ability to telecommute as

essential, while others argue that an employee’s family situation should have no bearing on

the decision to allow work from home.

Mayer’s defenders believe her edict comes down to productivity – if she has found that her

best performers are those who work in the office, it is her prerogative to increase value for

the company and make everyone work in the office. In addition, in her role as the company’s

leader, it behooves her to challenge her employees to become more productive; in this case,

that means challenging them to be better collaborators. A company’s leader needs to both

empower the employees and hold them accountable. Any company practice that is

unproductive should be discarded. There is also an argument that having all employees in

the office promotes flexibility in job roles because of increased communication and

collaboration among employees.

But critics of Mayer’s stance have been vociferous. In addition to arguments for families and

the need for a work/life balance, many people believe they actually are more productive

when they work from home. To some employees, being at home might make them more

susceptible to distractions; but to others, the office brings more distractions because the

employee is unable to control the environment like he can at home. Banning telecommuting

takes away an employee’s ability to manage his workspace.

Other critics cite the ecological benefits of working from home. Cutting down on commuting

time reduces environmental footprints and allows more time to be productive. There are also

fewer costs for employees when it comes to dry cleaning, work clothes or money spent going

out to lunch.

Then there is the question of company loyalty. If an employee is allowed to work from home,

is that employee happier and therefore more dedicated to the company, or does the

employee who is absent from the office lose camaraderie with coworkers and his

commitment to the company and its corporate culture?

The bottom line is that businesses must be managed based on results. Work arrangements

should fit the needs of all the parties involved, so a balance must be struck between the

control that employers want and the flexibility desired by employees. A discussion with a

professional can help find that balance to create a productive work environment with high

employee morale.

Should Telecommuting Be Banned?, Should Telecommuting Be Banned?, Should

Telecommuting Be Banned?