Study 1 included interviews with 12 teleworkers and office workers. Study 2 surveyed 32 office workers and 30 teleworkers. Results suggest that teleworking has negative emotional impact in terms of such emotions as loneliness, irritability, worry, and guilt and that teleworkers experience significantly more mental health symptoms of stress and…

Telework, work carried out in a location where the worker is removed from a central office and communicates with coworkers using new technology, has become a daily routine for millions of people in the United States and Europe. Telework changes the nature of professional relationships and employment and economic development policies. (JOW)

Describes telecommuting, which occurs whenever an employee is paid for work done at an alternate worksite and total commuting time is thereby reduced. Discusses the pros and cons and examines the characteristics that make jobs and people suitable for telecommuting. Includes a self-assessment to determine whether telecommuting is a good option.…

Background: Telemedicine, the provision of healthcare at a distance via telecommunication technology, has been used to address a wide range of health concerns in a variety of settings. Given the challenges schools face in keeping students healthy, telemedicine could be viewed as a mechanism to provide healthcare services directly to students in…

Survey data from 1,775 workers indicate that, although Finland has a sophisticated technological infrastructure, only 4 percent of Finnish wage earners regard themselves as doing telework, and only 4 percent has tried it. Teleworking was rare even among those considered knowledge workers. (Contains 40 references.) (Author/JOW)

Responses from 98 teleworkers and 123 onsite workers found that teleworkers had lower levels of the dimensions of work-family conflict (WFC): time-, strain-, and behavior-based work interference with family and family interference. Male teleworkers had higher levels of WFC; there were no gender differences for nonteleworkers. WFC was significantly…

Looks at the advantages--increased productivity and compliance with federal clean air regulations--and disadvantages--cost of setting up telecommunications and distractions at home--of telecommuting and the management issues involved. Offers suggestions for setting up a telecommuting program. (JOW)

Companies that have taken leading roles in the operation and expansion of the world information infrastructure have been profoundly affected by it. This article assesses the growth and impact of the Internet and outlines some of its advantages and disadvantages for business. Discusses e-mail, corporate documentation, video conferencing, virtual…

We examine professionals' use of telecommuting, perceptions of psychological job control, and boundary management strategies. We contend that work-family research should distinguish between descriptions of flexibility use (formal telecommuting policy user, amount of telecommuting practiced) and how the individual psychologically experiences…

Workers and employers must carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of new "work at home" (flexiplace) arrangements. Discussed are: advantages of flexiplace for workers, such as no commuting; advantages for employers, such as increased productivity; and arguments against, such as supervisory problems. (NW)

Advantages to telecommuting are flexibility, control, productivity, morale, quality of life, and, for employers, access to a wider skill pool. Disadvantages are frustration, isolation, sweatshop potential, and resentment of co-workers. Business education should emphasize keyboarding, telecommunications, time management, and communication skills in…

Sternberg's Thinking Style Inventory and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire were completed by 261 of 552 teleworkers in virtual teams. Cognitive styles and types of media (rich/lean) were associated with commitment to telework and to the team. Results have implications for staff development and the design of telework. (Contains 74…

A comparison was made of IBM employees in traditional offices (n=4,316), virtual offices (n=767), and home offices (n=441). Home office teleworking helped balance work and family and enhanced business performance with cost savings. Virtual office teleworking was associated with less work-family balance and less successful personal/family life.…

Looks at the advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting and describes a training program to get people ready to telecommute. Offers tips for organizing an office at home. (JOW)

Virtual work teams scattered around the globe are becoming a feature of corporate workplaces. Although most people prefer face-to-face meetings and interactions, reality often requires telecommuting. (JOW)