Content area
Full text
Introduction
Technology has changed the nature of work and provided opportunities to work from multiple locations, including the home. Forecasts for the growth in numbers of e-workers predicted that by 2012 there would be 1.2 trillion remote workers worldwide ([34] Twentyman, 2010), while [29] Nilles (2007), predicted 144 million e-workers across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The opportunity to work remotely is now provided by many organisations alongside other flexible working options, which can lead to savings for organisations ([22] Lewis and Cooper, 2005). The ability to work remotely is now available through smart technologies and has lead to more than just home working initiatives for those with families. It has become an issue for many employees, with or without families, wishing to manage their work and life effectively.
Remote working using technology is seen as a way for organisations to offer flexibility and consider the well-being of staff, including their work-life balance, whilst reducing costs and improving productivity ([22] Lewis and Cooper, 2005). Recruitment agencies report approximately 85 per cent of those seeking work indicate they would be more likely to stay with their employer if working flexibly was available ([34] Twentyman, 2010). Furthermore, high ratings of job satisfaction have been found for those working remotely ([24] Madsen, 2011). For example, [36] Wheatley (2012) reports that home-based workers report high levels of satisfaction. This could be related to the flexibility of working times compared to more static office-based hours and the freeing up of commuter time. Wheatley found that remote working can increase "available" time for other activities, however, this study also found that any "extra" time was not always spent on extra leisure activities, but filled with household chores, or other paid work, particularly for women. This research suggests that there are positive factors associated with remote working for both the employer and employee. However, it can be argued that time saved may, in some cases be redirected to more work as opposed to recuperation.
Research has also indicated there are negative effects associated with remote working. For example, whilst working remotely can reduce stress, it has been found that e-workers experience overlap between work and home lives thus reducing the restorative effects of home ([12] Hartig et al.