Telecommuting Envy
Looks like the obvious has finally been reported for all to read. How Corporate America intends to deal with this one is anybody's guess.
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Telecommuting may boost morale and cut stress, but it can have the opposite effect on those left behind in the office, according to a new study.
When a number of their coworkers toil away from the office using computers, mobile phones or other electronic equipment, those who do not telecommute are more likely to be dissatisfied with their job and leave the company, said Timothy Golden, a management professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Several studies have touted the health and morale benefits for flexible workers, but Golden's research suggests that their coworkers tend to find the workplace less enjoyable, have fewer emotional ties to coworkers and feel less obligated to the organization.
"While reasons for the adverse impact on nonteleworkers are varied, it possibly is due to coworker's perceptions that they have decreased flexibility and a higher workload and the greater frustration that comes with coordinating in an environment with more extensive telework," Golden said.
He added that with a greater prevalence of telecommuters in a work unit, nontelecommuters find it less personally fulfilling to do their work.
"There's little doubt that work life impacts one's role in the family. However, organizational decision makers need to take into account the broader impact of telework on others in the office," Golden said.
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Read the complete article Telecommuting not so Great for Workers in The Office
