Business Advice

Why Are Homeworkers More Productive?

18/05/09

By Lea Pachta

The Telework Association launched its first annual survey on the 15th of May, on National Working from Home Day. This Homeworking Productivity survey examines the apparent improved productivity of people working at home. It covers a wide range of home workers including occasional home workers, full time teleworkers, the employed and self-employed. It can be accessed directly or via the Association's web page.

There is extensive research to show that flexible workers are more productive than their office based counterparts. However the reason for the improved output of home workers is not clear. There has...

...been little research into the reasons why people working flexibly are more productive. Is it just that they can work longer by avoiding wasted commuting time? Is it because they are less stressed; or is it because the working environment is better?

This survey hopes to answer those questions. Its launch demonstrates the Association's commitment to a continuing research programme. It follows the recent appointment of Peter Thomson as Director of Research, who said:

"Many people say they get a lot more done when they work at home compared with the office but nobody really knows why this is. It may be that the lack of interruptions and distractions allows people to concentrate more or it could be a more subtle psychological factor. If people are trusted to work at home by their employer do they work harder in gratitude? Or perhaps if there is a stigma associated with home working, people are making the point that they are not watching TV all but are really getting on with the work."

"The major barrier to implementing teleworking and other forms of flexible working is the reluctance of some managers to consider the option. ... continued on page two >

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