Embrace the Change: An Argument for Teleworking
Generally, there are two different viewpoints about teleworking – one that considers it a great opportunity to improve work-life balance and another that sees it as an unnecessary burden. The truth is that both viewpoints have their respective merits and disadvantages, but things such as technological support, company culture and lifestyle preferences will be taken into consideration for this topic.
What is telework and why should you care
Telework is a practice where employees work away from the office and instead, use various technologies to connect with their workplace on a regular basis. The offer of flexibility and freedom to telework has been on the increase as people start to demand this new way of working. However, not everyone is convinced about this concept and there are those that still prefer the benefits of face-to-face interactions and feel more at ease in an office environment. It is very important to consider the specific needs of the employee when it comes to teleworking because there will be different styles of teleworkers, which would influence how their telework is facilitated.
Benefits of Teleworking
The benefits of teleworking are vast and can be advantageous for both the employer and the employee. For the employer, telework can lead to a more productive and efficient workforce. There are no geographical boundaries for work with teleworking, which means that employees can connect with the office no matter where they are in the world. By reducing or eliminating the need for office space, companies can also save on rent and other workplace costs.
For the employee, teleworking offers a number of benefits such as improved work-life balance, greater job satisfaction and a sense of autonomy. Employees no longer have to worry about enduring long commutes or juggling their work schedule with childcare arrangements. They can also take of flextime options, which allow them to work the hours that suit them best.
Disadvantages of Teleworking
There are also a few disadvantages to teleworking which should be taken into account before making the decision to switch to this new way of working. One of the main disadvantages is that employees can easily become isolated from the office and their colleagues. This can lead to a lack of communication and collaboration, which are essential for a productive work environment.
Another disadvantage is that not everyone is able to work effectively away from the office. Some people may find it difficult to balance their work and personal life without the structure and support of an office environment. There is also the risk that employees will become distracted by non-work related tasks when they are working from home.
To Conclude
Overall, both viewpoints have their respective merits and disadvantages. There are the benefits of teleworking such as improved work-life balance, greater job satisfaction and a sense of autonomy. Employees no longer have to worry about enduring long commutes or juggling childcare with their work schedule. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages that need to be taken into account before making this decision. One disadvantage is that employees can easily become isolated from coworkers in an office environment which leads to lack of communication and collaboration- necessary for a productive workplace. Another is that not everyone finds it easy to balance personal life without a structured support system provided by an office environment; people may find themselves distracted by non-work related tasks when working from home also known as “distractions.” Overall, it is important to consider the specific needs of teleworkers, their lifestyle preferences and work/life balance when making this decision.