Why aren't governments mandating employers to use telecommuting?

Question

I don't get it. Governments are concerned about the price of oil and the environment. Yet, they don't take advantage of the one solution that is front of their face. Require employers to have a certain percentage of jobs that offer at least partial telecommuting. This is the 21st century! North America has the infrastructure to allow many people to work from home. Many of our jobs do not require workers to be chained to a desk. Let the employers figure out ways to monitor employee productivity. This can be a quick long term fix.

Answer 1

because the government are under these oil company try to watch the story of stuff by annie leonard or the 11th hour by leonardo di caprio and see how we are subsidized by oil in everything that we do and how oil companies or oil countries control these "system"

well telecommunting is good specially with fast internet access haha, i just wonder what's excuses will be there for the workers in case they dont want to log on to work or how will they be dressed up is it only the top coats only hehehe

Answer 2

Historically, government mandates have always been a disaster.

Answer 3

Government-dictated preference for corn-based ethanol and other biofuels is causing massive land overuse, soaring food prices, and increased hunger in the poorest places. A single SUV tank of ethanol-based gasoline burns enough food to feed a starving African for a year.

Answer 4

I don't want the government telling me when or if I should drive to work or not.   As others have said, government madates have been a disaster, badly planned, poorly thought out, and expensive.

Answer 5

how could any govt. specify WHICH jobs needed to be done with a physical presence and which can be done remotely.

Obviously trades such as plumbers and hairdressers can't do their jobs over the Internet, but accountants?? some employers would say " ah ! but I need him/her at the office for face to face meetings etc.etc."

you can't MANDATE telecommuting but you could ENCOURAGE it , via the use of tax breaks etc.

Answer 6

So can replacing those jobs with jobs that are in india or any other nation.

Watch out, your may be next one they cut, to 'comply with gov. mandates'

Answer 7

Most jobs can be performed more efficiently at an office then by telecommuting.  Although, I'm all for partial telecommuting - I just can't see never coming into the office again and collaborating with my fellow employees.

Anyhow, as someone else pointed out.  Be careful what you wish for.  If your job can be performed without ever coming into the office, it can easily be outsourced to another country for less money then you are getting paid.

Personally, I want people to see my face in meetings and in the halls.  We don't need to isolate ourselves socially more than we already are.