Telecommuting - Essay Example

Telecommuting Telecommuting or telework involves a work arrangement whereby employees do not have to commute to their central placeof work. People who telecommute are known as "teleworkers” or “telecommuters" (Hussain, 2011). Many telecommuters work from their home while others often called “web commuters" or "nomad workers", use mobile telecommunications skills to work from coffee shops and other places (NLR, 2012). Approximately "one in 5 workers around the globe, mostly employees in the Latin America, Asia and Middle East telecommute frequently and almost 10% work from home daily. This paper will discuss about telecommuting and how it will be the new way that jobs will be performed in the next 10 years (Hussain, 2011). Estimates suggest that over 50 million U.S. workers (roughly 40% of the total working population) can work from home part - time, but in 2008, only 2 million employees (without including the self - employed) deliberated their home as their primary place of work (Hussain, 2011). Very few companies hire many home – based and full - time employees (Hussain, 2011). The call center industry remains one notable exemption: several United States call centers hire thousands of home - based employees. For many employees, the preference of working from home is offered as employees benefit but most accomplices only do so part - time. In 2009 the US, Office of Personnel Management stated that approximately 102,000 Federal employee’s telework. However, below 14,000 were teleworking 3 or more days weekly (Hussain, 2011). In January 2012, Reuters, depicting from a Reuters poll, projected that telecommuting as a trend that has developed and one which appears like it will continue with 34% of connected workers testifying they would be highly prospective to telecommute under a full – time basis program if they possible (Hussain, 2011). On 9th of December, 2010, the United States Federal Government approved the Telework Enhancement Act (2010) in order to enhance Continuity of Operations and warrant essential Federal functions stay maintained during emergency circumstances; to promote management efficiency when telework is applied to achieve reductions in transit and organizational costs and environmental effects, and to boost the work - life balance among workers (Khosrowpour, 2012). For instance, telecommuting allows employees better accomplish their work and family duties and thus helps keep a stronger Federal workforce that is capable of meeting agency goals (Hussain, 2011). In the next 10 years telecommuting will be highly preferred by many employees and employers as their best mode of employment. There are factors that will influence and accelerate the development of telecommuting in the working society that we are going to discuss. Firstly, Wireless carriers will grow to wired speed (Verbeke, 2008). The expected evolution of mobile technology is expected to bring the wireless speed carriers in line by wired networks. Meanwhile, a security breakthrough will ensue that will change the method we access information and reduce hacking concerns dramatically (Verbeke, 2008). Secondly, the rising use of internet technology will be a fundamental aspect in telecommuting. The Internet has improved the opportunity for communicating across boundaries of place and time, organizing client advocacy work, influencing public policy, locating resources and sharing of information (Khosrowpour, 2012). In addition, the prospective for direct interaction with corresponding clients has also changed a lot. Many individuals hope that the Internet may increase the availability of services to those who are homebound, who may have disabilities, who reside in remote areas or who have poor access to specialists. Internet services may also ease access to services by individuals who cannot leave work and / or who do not have available daycare (Khosrowpour, 2012). Internet access stays available in senior citizen centers, public libraries, and many public institutions for community use. At least in the United States, this serves somewhat match access to the Internet. Indeed, library and other public services access in no way pay off for access limitations led by illiteracy, illness or disability (Verbeke, 2008). It could also be reasoned that the fact that technology cannot be accessible to everyone is not a basis for deserting its use by anyone who can access it (Verbeke, 2008). Higher education and various kind of human services remain not available to everybody in face - to - face simulations, and using Internet technologies can actually increase the number of individuals to whom such services stay available (Khosrowpour, 2012). For the reason that funding and budget restrictions executed on public and private services, there is also logic for the use of comparatively inexpensive Internet technologies to enhance services wherever possible. For example, the use of databases and Internet technologies collectively can significantly reduce the time lost and errors convoluted in information sharing (Verbeke, 2008). In addition, tablets will replace laptop and desktop processers. Desktop and laptop will be superseded by tablets that are foldable and micro – thin. Imagine a foldable smart phone that expands to a 20 or 50 - inch screen (Hussain, 2011). These new devices will have an on and off button and no more moving parts. Since people will be accessing more applications and information in the cloud, the requisite to store data on hard disks will decrease dramatically (Hussain, 2011). Every application that individual need to access will be available in the internet, and people will not need store anything in the vicinity. In other words, individuals will have hard drives, but it will not be part of their computes. This technology will ease communication barriers and make it easier to work out doors since the devices are potable (Hussain, 2011). Boxed software will no longer exist. What moved the leading software sellers to 2012 will not move them to 2021. All software will evolve to service - based approaches (NLR, 2012). Text massaging will also stay and advance since it fit the way people work and live exceptionally. Hence, as devices and networking evolve the short text messages sending culture will stand. In addition, 3D video will become a norm in telecommuting (NLR, 2012). 3D (three dimension) technology is mostly seen as an innovation now, but in 10 years time, most teleconferences will be steered with 3D video (NLR, 2012). Imagine working from home and taking part in 3D video conferences with colleagues and associates or client from around the globe. Employees will have to shower and neatly dress for that one! References Hussain, K. M. (2011). Telecommunications and Networks. New York: Focal Press . Khosrowpour, M. (2012). Information Technology Management and Organizational Innovations. Washington: Idea Group Inc. Network, L. R. (2012, August 28). Keys to Telecommuting Success. Retrieved from Learning Resources Network: http://www.yougotclass.org/courses.cfm/Lern/Managing-Telework-Certificate/Keys-to-Telecommuting-Success?CFID=17908574&CFTOKEN=f8545b006c5e843-7CAE2239-B8AC-6F12-C8CF7BF6BADF6A5B Verbeke, A. (2008). Growing the Virtual Workplace: The Integrative Value Proposition for Telework. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing. Read More