Employees choosing to work at office over home: StatsCan

An increase in on-site day cares, and new technologies such as the BlackBerry may have helped employees resist the allure of working from home, Statistics Canada suggests in a report on teleworkers.

'The use of laptops, BlackBerries and mobile phones, and the growing proliferation of communication centres may facilitate work from many other places, such as cars, airports, railway and bus terminals, and satellite offices.' Analyst Ernest B. Akyeampong

The federal agency says in the report released Friday that the number of employees who worked from home grew from one million in 1995 to 1.4 million in 2000. But by 2005, the number dipped to 1.3 million, according to information culled from the 2000 and 2005 General Social Survey.

The report notes that while the reasons for the decline are unclear, influential factors could include more employer-assisted day cares, and better transportation networks. The report also says that following the Sept. 11, 2001,attacks, some companies have tightened up their information networks, forcing more workers to come to the office.

Technological innovations have also helped change the way modern workers fill their day, the report says.

"The use of laptops, BlackBerries and mobile phones, and the growing proliferation of communication centres may facilitate work from many other places, such as cars, airports, railway and bus terminals, and satellite offices," says analyst Ernest B. Akyeampong in the report.

Moreflexibility, family time

Some employees may also have re-evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of working from home, the report says.

Some workers say that while working from home allows for greater flexibility it can also stifle career advancement and limit one's social circle. Employers similarly report that telework reduces work space costs and reduces absenteeism, but it can also create communication and co-ordination problems.

The reason most often given for working at home by about one-quarter of teleworkers was that it was a requirement of their job, while one-fifth said working conditions were more favourable at home. Others said teleworking helped them save money, and allowed themto spend more time with their families and fulfil personal obligations.

Declines in teleworking patterns were recorded in the business, building and public administration sectors. Employees in professional, scientific, technical and educational services were the most likely to work from home, the report said.