Is Telecommuting Losing Luster?

SYDNEY -- The always-on employee working for the 24/7 company is slowly learning to despise the concept of mobility and working from home, according to a Sensis survey released this week in Australia.

An estimated 13 percent of those surveyed rated the consequences of teleworking as "negative," even stating it did not increase productivity. Respondents said they worked longer hours and had less time with their families while managers who participated in the survey said they could not effectively manage staff when they were working from home.

Australia Evaluates

In March the Australian government launched a Teleworking Taskforce to examine ways to promote mobility in the workplace. The Minister for IT, Senator Helen Coonan, is awaiting the results of a report examining obstacles to its widespread adoption.

The 26-page report is based on the Sensis Consumer Report, a survey of 1500 customers and the Sensis business Index, a survey of 1800 owners taken between May and April this year.

Overall, the report painted a positive picture for teleworking.

The largest teleworking demographic covers people between the ages of 30 and 39 years, who accounted for more than 42 percent of responses. About 62 percent rated teleworking as positive; this was particularly true for employers with 73 percent giving it the thumbs up.

Respondents said it provided greater flexibility, was more convenient and increased productivity while employers liked the ability to access information anywhere at any time.