A new telecommuting study, Web Commuting & the American Workforce commissioned by Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. has found younger workers
are particularly keen on flexible working. The study shows that employees aged 18-34 are twice as likely to prefer
flexible working conditions than older employees. In fact, 70% of survey respondents agreed that working remotely
would be a welcome opportunity.
Termed "Web commuters" in the study, a growing number of employees perform at least some of
their work away from their office, at non-standard hours, using web-based technology. The study, conducted by
the polling company, inc. and sponsored by Citrix Online, which claims to provide easy-to-use, secure and affordable
Web-based services for remote computer access and online collaboration, found that:
- 23% of U.S. employees regularly work offsite using Web technology and 62% of those who do not
would like to do so.
- Employees aged 18-34 were most likely to look forward to controlling their own schedules,
while respondents aged 35-44 year olds indicated that they would value more time with family.
- In general, the younger the worker, the more likely they were to see the value of
online tools and services that allowed them to work remotely, reflecting their greater familiarity with the Internet.
Kellyanne Conway, CEO and president of the polling company, inc. said:
"As Baby Boomers retire, employers will be forced to compete for younger workers, for whom technology
is a native tongue. Offering the ability to Web commute is an easy way to provide a valued benefit to this age group."
"Anyone of any age can benefit from new, low-cost technologies that are as easy to use and as
indispensable as e-mail and cell phones," commented Bernardo de Albergaria, vice president and general manager,
global marketing and eCommerce for Citrix Online. "Younger workers expect freedom and flexibility, and online remote
access and collaboration services enable people to work on their own terms. When employers provide these tools for
connecting employees with their PCs, customers, prospects and co-workers across town or halfway around the world,
everyone benefits."
Who Telecommutes?
Rising gas prices have resulted in many professionals considering
telecommuting as an economical work option, but spending too much time working from home can mean saying goodbye
to the corner office.
Surveys developed in 2006 by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in placement of administrative professionals, were conducted by an independent research firm and include responses from 100 senior executives in Canada and 150 in the USA.
They found 32 per cent of Canadian respondents and 43 per cent of US respondents said telecommuting is best suited for staff-level employees, compared with 28 per cent and 18 per cent respectively who felt telecommuting is most beneficial for managers. In addition, more than half of Canadian respondents and more than two-thirds of US respondents said senior executives at their firms rarely or never telecommute.
When asked, 'At which level do you think telecommuting programs are most beneficial?' participants responded:
Level
Staff
Manager
Executive
Administrative support
Don't know/no answer
|
Canada (%)
32
28
16
15
9
|
USA (%)
43
18
14
11
14
|
When asked, 'Overall, how frequently do senior executives at your firm telecommute?' participants responded:
Frequency
Very frequently
Somewhat frequently
Rarely
Never
Don't know/no answer
|
Canada (%)
18
21
38
20
3
|
USA (%)
5
23
55
12
5
|
According to Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam, it is often easier for staff-level employees to telecommute because their work can be performed autonomously. However, even those people who work from home need to spend time in the office.
Diane Domeyer added:
"Effective management requires plenty of 'face time' with employees. Supervisors should have an open-door policy, and that means being available to staff who need guidance with projects. Employees who work from home must ensure that being out of sight doesn't also mean being out of mind for promotions, team projects and plum assignments."
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