Absolutely amazing! If you, as a manager, could gain much greater productivity at minimal cost, what would you do? It would be irresponsible not to take advantage of this option.
Yet, most management refuses to consider make changing their work environment to increase productivity. I am speaking of remote work – the option of working from home. A survey by Flexjobs.com found a whopping 93% of those that work remote had greater productivity while out of the office. Only 7% had lower productivity. Unbelievable numbers!
What is the problem?
So, if this and other surveys show such a great payback for remote work, why aren’t all companies jumping on the bandwagon right now? I don’t see it as just one issue. There are multiple factors blocking acceptance.
Habit
After a decade of working in a combination of offices and/or remote in large, medium and small companies, it is clear that habit is a 
big
culprit. Since the 1930’s we have had a tradition of working 8 hours per day and 5 days a week It is tradition to be seated, in our chairs, as the big hand strikes 12 and the little hand strikes 8. When the big hand strikes 12 and the little hand strikes 5, don’t be near the doors as employees make a mad scramble for the exit. The unfortunate fact is there is little concern about the efficiency of work that occurs between 8 and 5. Sure, most management say they worry about effectiveness but rarely do they do anything about it.
I had one manager tell me that the company provided office space for me and therefore I needed to be sitting at my desk, in their office, every day.
Trust
I have only heard management own up to this problem a couple of times but there are constant hints in conversations about remote work. Managers are concerned that the worker will sit and watch TV all day and not get any work done. If they are in the office, these terrible workers can be monitored.
My first thought is if you cannot trust your employees, then you need to have a heart to heart talk with the employee or get rid of them. I have frittered away time in an office right in front of a manager. It isn’t that hard. I don’t need to be remote to waste time.
When working remote, I deem it a privilege and I am focused on making sure that I accomplish as much as I can during the day. Without any distractions at home, I can pound out the work much faster than in the office.
Collaboration
Another objection to remote work is collaboration. There is a feeling that magic will happen as we hang around each other. The only magic that happens is a discussion of sports, hobbies, politics, usually anything but work. That is not to say that some collaboration does not happen – it does. However, collaboration does not happen as often as management thinks it will.
That does not mean there is no value in face-to-face meetings. Absolutely great value under specific circumstances. But not for general everyday work. Most employees in knowledge work positions need be by themselves and in a quiet environment to accomplish their work.
Fear of the unknown
Managing in businesses these days is very difficult. Between government regulations, competitors, employee issues, etc., there is always a crisis. Why bring on another problem if the benefits are not clear? What if you go to the effort of allowing remote work and it turns out to be a roaring disaster? It could lead to a demotion.
Stepping out with this type of program is not for the faint-hearted. In a future post, I will discuss how to transition slowly to remote work and ensure that the work is getting done.