Do you telecommute?

This feels like a flashback, something that we were talking about in the 1970s … well maybe not that long ago but here we are STILL talking about this.

In the Grand Rapids Press, our local newspaper, there was an article in the business section about telecommuting. The article focused on how employees surveyed at Steelcase are concerned that telecommuting could HURT their careers.

More than 80 percent believe working away from the office increases morale for employees and reduces staff turnover.

Contrast to:

More than 70 percent of those surveyed felt their companies prefer them in the office to control the work environment and prevent a decline in productivity.

That’s crazy.

My employer strongly supports ‘alternative work schedules’ (both short term and annually reviewed) that can allow staff  to flex time as needed. We have core business hours that we require covered, but allow and support employees who have needs outside 8-5. Not all positions qualify for flex time but we do our best.

What the article doesn’t say is who was surveyed, their roles in the organization or when the survey was conducted. I would be curious to know the gender and length of service at Steelcase too . Regardless of the holes in the story, it did serve as a good reminder to make certain that our opportunities reflect our desires. And ensure that in our practices, we don’t inadvertently punish those who elect to flex.