Telecommuting Increasingly Popular With Most Companies Despite Yahoo Ban

After recent changes in policy from Yahoo and Best Buy regarding telecommuting to work, some are concluding that other companies are expected to follow and limit or ban remote workers.

A new survey reveals the opposite, as more companies plan to embrace telecommuting in the future.

According to the survey, 80 percent of the 120 human resources executives polled said their companies currently offer some form of telecommuting option, with 97 percent saying they have no plans to eliminate the benefit in the future.

The survey was conducted in the days following Yahoo CEO Marissa Myers controversial plan to force work-at-home employees back to the office.

“When major companies like Yahoo and Best Buy make notable policy changes, there is no doubt that other employers will take notice and some may even re-evaluate their policies. However, it would be misguided to assume that other companies will follow blindly without considering their own unique circumstances,” says John A. Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the company responsible for the survey.

Most companies surveyed by Challenger did not have a blanket telecommuting policy. Less than 10 percent of employers offered telecommuting to all workers. About 40 percent offer telecommuting opportunities to some employees. Another 30 percent do not have a formal telecommuting program but permit some employees to work from home some days.

“No two companies are the same, so each must evaluate policies such as telecommuting based on how it will affect its customers, employees and bottom line,” he added.

Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas