Work Life Balance The Real Scoop of Telecommuting and Flexible Work

Work Life Balance The Real Scoop of Telecommuting and Flexible Work I recently came across an article where our President  called for more flexible workplaces to accommodate those also trying to raise families.    Here is what he said: Many companies are already leading the way, embracing things like telecommuting, and flextime, and on-site childcare, and my administration is committed to supporting efforts like these. Not just by investing in paid leave programs and child care tax credits.   But also by making the federal government a model for the policies were encouraging. The benefits of flexible work arrangements are  huge when you think about the hours of driving time that  employees can save and the breaks  that could be taken at home to increase employees  productivity.   Companies also save money by decreasing office space and using telecons or  video conferencing for meetings.   Telecommuting saves our environment and conserves energy  by getting drivers off the freeway.  It also promotes safety and improves health because we arent rushing to work and stressing about finding the time to take care of all our responsibilities.   Research clearly shows the benefits of telecommuting for increasing productivity and  making employees happy. A recent Cisco study of its telecommuting employees found that: 69% of the telecommuting employees see increased productivity 67% said that their work quality improved 80% had an improved work life. So why arent more companies getting on board?   I think that part of the reason is that many companies  dont completely trust their employees even though employees desire to have  autonomy and flexibility.   Managers want to see their employees productive, working hard and not wasting time on facebook.   I think telecommuting and flexibility  will  be more effective when managers trust that  employees will get the job done just not between the hours of 9 to 5pm. Where I work now, we are allowed to work from home on government holidays and as necessary if an emergency comes up.    Of course it  is nice to have the option but I have seen first hand that it is looked down upon by others when you are not in the office.   You dont get as many work opportunities and you arent invited to as many meetings.   Even though the benefits of flexible working relationships are huge, I really dont see  Corporate America  changing anytime  soon. It is hard for me to imagine a women  changing from full-time in the office  to  part-time in the office  and still getting the same opportunities that she once had.   I know this is not how it should be but I know this is what happens in todays working world.    We are making dramatic improvements with Presidential support but  I think that the biggest roadblocks  are the  attitudes and mindsets.   We need to change  Corporate America so that  employees have the same opportunities even though they  may not  always be present  in the office. Do you agree with me?   Do you see telecommuting benefits and flexible work arrangements offered in your industry?