Telecommuting

Telecommuting - an arrangement by which people work at home using a computer and telephone, transmitting work material to a business office by means of a modem and telephone lines; it is also known as telework. Although the term "telecommuting" was coined in the early 1970s, the practice became more popular in the 1990s as personal computers became more affordable and the Internet became more accessible. Government agencies and environmental groups encourage telecommuting because it reduces pollution, saves gasoline, and creates a less congested commuting environment. Companies use telecommuting as a way of keeping valued employees who might otherwise be lost due to relocation or commuting stress. Some people feel they can be more productive when working at home, while others prefer an office environment. In 1999 about 10 million people worked in the United States as telecommuters on a regular basis.

See P. J. Jackson and J. V. D. Wielen, Teleworking: International Perspectives. From Telecommuting to the Virtual Organisation (1998); and J. M. Nilles, Managing Telework: Strategies for Managing the Virtual Workforce (1998).

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright© 2004, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. All rights reserved.