IT telecommuting on the rise

More IT pros are working remotely today than five years ago

Not only do IT departments enable telework, but increasingly IT workers themselves are taking advantage of this benefit. A recent study from Robert Half Technology shows more IT pros are working remotely today than five years ago.

In a survey of 1,400 CIOs, 44% said their IT workers are telecommuting at a rate that is the same or higher than five years ago. Only 3% of respondents said their IT group works remotely less frequently than five years ago, while 2% weren’t sure. The survey shows that CIOs at companies allowing telecommuting believe the practice improves retention and morale among their staff and boosts productivity.

“Enhanced connectivity tools provide IT professionals greater flexibility and the option to work even when they are away from the office,” says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Consequently, working remotely is more commonplace today and more acceptable.”

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Not only do IT departments enable telework, but increasingly IT workers themselves are taking advantage of this benefit. A recent study from Robert Half Technology shows more IT pros are working remotely today than five years ago.

In a survey of 1,400 CIOs, 44% said their IT workers are telecommuting at a rate that is the same or higher than five years ago. Only 3% of respondents said their IT group works remotely less frequently than five years ago, while 2% weren’t sure. The survey shows that CIOs at companies allowing telecommuting believe the practice improves retention and morale among their staff and boosts productivity.

“Enhanced connectivity tools provide IT professionals greater flexibility and the option to work even when they are away from the office,” says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Consequently, working remotely is more commonplace today and more acceptable.”

That said, a full 51% of respondents said that telecommuting is not offered by their companies. While wireless technologies and feature-rich applications do make it easier to stay in touch, it may be that some IT jobs just require presence in the office.

Some IT leaders were concerned the quality of work suffers due to lack of in-person contact with colleagues, while others believe telecommuters aren’t as productive because they have less oversight. Some managers are also worried that telecommuting generates too many security risks.

If you’re thinking about allowing IT staff to telecommute, consider the following issues:

* Which IT jobs are best suited for telecommuting? Telecommuting works best for those whose jobs can be performed relatively independently.

* How frequently should IT pros be allowed to work remotely? Consider scheduling weekly meetings when employees are on-site to update you on the status of projects.

* How will you foster communication between team members? Keep track of schedules and how workers can be reached to keep the lines of communication open.

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