In a move which shocked and angered employees, Yahoo has decided to ban remote working from June 2013. A memo which was emailed around the office has been leaked online, which sets out their reasons for doing so.
The email stated: “Some of the best decisions and insights come from hallways and cafeteria discussions, meeting new people, and impromptu team meetings. Speed and quality are often sacrificed when we work from home.”
Google’s chief finance officer Patrick Pichette has said in an interview: “How many people telecommute at Google? Our answer is: as few as possible.”
He then went on to explain: “There is something magical about sharing meals. There is something magical about spending the time together, about noodling on ideas, about asking at the computer ‘What do you think of this?’”
Why are employers rejecting telecommuting?
It has been suggested by experts that cultural antipathy may play a large part in these decisions.
Employers are less likely to remember those employees who work remotely when it comes to performance reviews and pay rises due to the lack of appearance in the office. Likewise, employees are more likely to work longer hours and risk ‘burning out’ as they attempt to ‘make up’ for not being in the office.
Advancements in communication
International communications experts Powwownow.co.uk have said in response to Yahoo’s decision: “It has been proved that many people actually work better at home; the quiet and less distractive atmosphere allows them to concentrate and get more work done.
“It is possible to stay in touch with colleagues as if you were in the same room, so the phrase ‘remote’ almost becomes obsolete. In many cases people that are offered remote working are often more responsible and produce a higher quality of work.”
Benefits of working at home
There are a multitude of benefits for both the employer and the employee when it comes to remote working. Given that a reported 59% of employers are now offering telecommuting, more companies are choosing to take advantage of these benefits.
An improved quality and performance from staff who remote work is clearly the biggest advantage of working remotely. Thanks to the incentive of working in a comfortable environment, employees are more motivated and find that the increased work/life balance improves their work quality.
Employers can enjoy the benefits of reduced expenses on their premises, as well as experience a reduce carbon footprint as less employees in the office mean a reduced energy expenditure.
