With perfect modes of telecommunication and IT, there is no need for this much of petrol and pollution. ready?

Question

By now all countries should think of working from home, visiting offices once in a week etc. Spend only on networking the offices and employees. Even wireless has come to stay. Has the world identified this as the alternative to fuel crisis and also to many other problems like pollution, traffic jams, family welfare, more productivity and so on ? What are we waiting for ?

Answer 1

It would be to difficult for employers to monitor the employees computers to make sure they are doing there jobs when on the clock, with out putting software on there computers that violate privacy laws. Most employers like to make sure the employees are doing there jobs, and nothing else, whilst at work, and have computer monitoring software on company computers. If they put this same software on employee owned computers, it would be invasion of privacy. Thats why most computer related jobs still envolve the employee's in the office and not at home.

Yes, working from home would both save the employers money, and reduce traffic, however, it comes at a cost. The quality of the companies service goes down. This in turn looses them customers and business. So if you really look at it, the companies even though saving money on office facilities, are actually making less profit, due to the lost customers because of quality of service.

Answer 2

Yeah...right.  Ever try to collaborate on a hardware design with someone remotely?  How about people who actually work on assembly lines.  There is a subset of people who this will actually work for, but for most it will simply become another day off.

Answer 3

Dream on, you crazy dreamer.  Ever try to get something accomplished via teleconference?  Have you seen an email chain that copies in the wrong people who can't resist adding their complete lack of knowledge to the task at hand?  I have the ability to telecommute and while it can be beneficial, it's much easier to get something done when you're in the presence of those who need to be involved.  I prefer to be in the office unless there's a compelling reason to not be in the office.

Not to mention, there are far too many people who abuse the telecommute option.  If people actually did their jobs, rather than loaf around, it might be a viable option, but as a general rule, people are inherently prone to avoiding work.

Answer 4

I've worked for companies that could've easily done work from home (Like chat and email tech support). I don't know why they don't. The only reason I can think of is that everyone who has to come in gets jealous of those who don't have to come in. It's the childish people saying "That's not fair... " who s***w things up.