Telecommuting: Psychology Essay, Research Paper

TELECOMMUTING

Psychology

Telecommuting has positives and negatives psychologically. Some positives include staying home with children; more free time, and making your own schedule, etc. Some say that looks very inviting. Many people, employees and managers, don’t look at the negatives (no set times, difficulty communicating, being looked upon as a slacker, no face to face contact and so on) before they volunteer for their chance at freedom.

Technical

One of the most important things for telecommuters to consider is communication. More specifically: How will the telecommuter stay in contact with the company? There are several types of technology that telecommuters rely on. One, the Modem, allows remote computers to communicate, and transmit and receive data via telephone lines. Second, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides an account and a phone number to dial into and gain access to the Internet. Third, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), uses existing 2-wire telephone wiring to deliver high-speed data services to businesses and homes. Fourth, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) uses digital technology and is capable of faster data transfer speeds. Fifth, Instant messaging, supercedes the pace of email by allowing two people to communicate in real time

Financial

Telecommuting would reduce the amount of people who had to drive to work. In turn, this would reduce the gas that would be needed by telecommuters. The demand for gas would decrease which hopefully would reduce the price of gas for the rest of us. Also, wear and tear on the car would be reduced. Employers would benefit in not having to have office space for the employees. This would reduce the costs for the employers.

Legal Issues

Legal issues that may affect telecommuting are still unproven. Even though the person is not at the office certain things could be used as a liability to employers. Another question that may arise could be whose insurance covers the equipment used at home. Discrimination could also be used against you. Make sure you as an employer document every Legal issue that may affect telecommuting are still unproven. Even though the person is not at the office certain things could be used as a liability to employers. Another question that may arise could be whose insurance covers the equipment used at home. Discrimination could also be used against you. Make sure you as an employer document everything from inventories and policies.

Bibliography

Sources

1. Fast Company.com; There’s no place (to work) like home. Nov. 2000.

2. Business Week.com, Making Telecommuting Work. Oct. 2000

3. Business Week.com. Work at Home? First, Get Real. Sept. 2000

4. Canadian Manager, Fall 1998 Section: LEGAL WATCH TELECOMMUTING: LEGAL AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES, Telecommuting: A Legal Primer Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind when it comes to liability, Managing Teleworkers Within the Law Anticipate legal problems with your telework program before they arise

5. www.telecomunicate.org

6. www.eto.org.uk/index.htm

7. www.ybn.com