Benefits of telecommuting outweigh the negatives, claims report

Telecommuting can cut stress and boost morale and job satisfaction for employers and employees alike, according to an in-depth study reported by Reuters.

The report compared data on 12,833 telecommuters across 46 studies on telecommuting.

The results suggest that the use of technology by remote workers brought positive benefits, despite fears from some companies and workers of diminished career prospects and a breakdown in working relationships.

"Our results show that telecommuting has an overall beneficial effect because the arrangement provides employees with more control over how they do their work," said Dr Ravi Gajendran of Pennsylvania State University.

"Telecommuting seems to have some mildly positive effects on employee morale, on work-family balance and on stress."

Researchers also pointed to the cost saving and environmental benefits of telecommuting.

"If you could save a long commute, say two days a week or maybe even one, you will see substantial costs saving as well as substantial reductions in terms of pollution," said Dr Gajendran.