Many CFOs are skeptical about the benefits of telecommuting because they feel it’ll inevitably lead to a huge drop in productivity. But there’s new research out there that claims this simply isn’t the case.
There is no noticeable difference in productivity between telecommuters and on-site workers.
That’s according to comprehensive research from the University of Minnesota.
Researchers compared the performance of a group of almost 350 employees who were permitted to pick when and where they worked to an equal-sized control group that weren’t afforded the luxury of making such choices.
Dispelling a popular myth
These findings call into question the idea that on-site employees are more productive than their telecommuting peers.
Not surprisingly, the workers that were allowed to set their own work hours reported a drop in work/life conflict. In addition, they reported working one hour less per week than the workers in the fixed-schedule group, which technically makes them more efficient workers.
If your company does offer telecommuting options or flex-scheduling options, it’s important for to remind managers to avoid bias against staffers who take advantage of these options.
And to make the program as effective as possible, make sure workers understand there will be no stigma attached to those who do take advantage of it.
