Telecommuting

Remote work is the practice of working at or from one's home or another space rather than from an office or workplace. The practice of working at home has been documented for centuries, but remote work for large employers began on a small scale in the 1970s when technology was developed that could link satellite offices to downtown mainframes through dumb terminals using telephone lines as a network bridge. It became more common in the 1990s and 2000s, facilitated by internet technologies such as collaborative software on cloud computing and conference calling via videotelephony. In 2020, workplace hazard controls during the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a rapid transition to remote work for white-collar workers around the world. This shift largely persisted even after restrictions were lifted. Proponents of a geographically distributed workforce argue that it reduces costs associated with maintaining an office, grants employees greater autonomy and flexibility—which improves their motivation and job satisfaction—eliminates environmental harms from commuting, allows employers to access a more geographically diverse pool of applicants, and enables employees to live where they prefer. Opponents of remote work argue that remote telecommunications technology has been unable to fully replicate the advantages of face-to-face interaction, that employees may be more easily distracted, and that reduced social interaction may lead to feelings of isolation.