Press Release | Why are homeworkers more productive? asks Telework Association

Today, National Working from Home Day, the Telework Association launches its first annual survey. 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. Many managers use a presenteeism model of work and feel they need to be able to see their employees to ensure they are working. The Telework Association promotes a management model that is based on a more trusting relationship between manager and employee."

These latest initiatives reinforce the Association's reputation as Europe's foremost authority on teleworking and position it to offer much needed information and expertise in today's tough economic and business environment. Its research aims to provide factual information about working practices and to generate informed debate about the benefits of teleworking

Other initiatives launched this week include a new website to provide much needed information to the increasing numbers of people considering teleworking. On Virtual Meeting day this week bookings opened for a webinar entitled Flexible Working - Good for Everyone? This will help employees put together a business case and their manager to evaluate it.

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Note to editors

About the Telework Association:
The Telework Association is the leading European organisation promoting flexible and remote working and providing services to individuals and organisations involved in telework. Founded in 1992, the association provides regular communications to members in the form of a weekly newsletter and a quarterly magazine.

The association has carried out research into various aspects of remote working and is currently investigating the productivity of home working compared with conventional work. As well as carrying out its own research, the association has gathered expertise from other sources and provides information to members both corporate and individual.

As promoters of teleworking the Association is able to provide informed comment on issues such as government policy and business practice in the field of remote working. The association supports teleworking as a solution to business problems, a contribution to environmental goals and a source of improved quality of life.

About Peter Thomson
Peter has had a distinguished career in HR and is an internationally recognised expert in the field of flexible working. He worked for Digital Equipment for 18 years where he was head of HR for Northern Europe and for the last 15 years has been Director of the Future Work Forum at Henley.

He brings to the Association his in-depth experience from running the leading centre of expertise in the future of work and from his research into the management of remote teams. He will be directing a new research programme starting with a survey of home working productivity and focussing on the business benefits of teleworking and other new work patterns.

For further information contact:

Peter Thomson, Director of Research email peter@telework.org.uk or telephone 01491 628143
Shirley Borrett, Development Director email: Shirley@telework.org.uk or 07831 307890
Brian Higton, Chairman, email chairman@telework.org.uk or 01560 323444

This survey is one of a number of initiatives including a webinar and a new website. For further information see www.telework.org.uk

For  Work Wise Week information see www.workwiseuk.org/events/workwiseweek09.html