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Chapter 5. The Use of IT in Everyday Life |  |
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Chapter 5. The Use of IT in Everyday Life | |
Abstract
Understand the term teleworking. List some of the advantages of teleworking such as: reduced or no commuting time, greater ability to focus on one task, flexible schedules, reduced company space requirements. List some disadvantages of teleworking such as: lack of human contact, less emphasis on teamwork.
Teleworking means literally doing work at a distance. This means instead of going into an office, you work from home, a holiday cottage, another country or any other location. When you do teleworking, you can be thought of as having a virtual office.
Modern technology such as email, the Internet and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have made teleworking a reality for many people. A VPN makes use of the Internet and various security protocols to enable remote users to connect to a company network. Apart from speed limitations, it will appear as if they are working on the network inside the organisation.
Not all occupations lend themselves to teleworking, but there are many that do. Examples include journalists, writers, computer programmers, graphic artists, consultants and representatives. Often teleworking is associated with contract work. Professionals are paid to do specific tasks and are given deadlines within which these have to be created. Where they do it is not relevant as long as it is done professionally and on time.
Professionals
do not waste time on commuting between home and work.
are free to undertake work where ever they are.
greater ability to focus on one task.
have flexibility to arrange their work time according to their needs and inclinations.
generally have tax advantages as they can claim business expenses.
Organisations
save on office space, equipment and facilities.
Professionals
may suffer from lack of human contact.
need to be highly self-disciplined.
Organisations
will not get the benefits of teamwork.
will have less control over workers.
The disadvantages of teleworking can be overcome by requiring professionals to spend a certain amount of time at the office. This does not require that they actually have a workstation or office of their own. They could be required to attend meetings or seminars. If they are structured as part of a team working on a project, they could be required to attend team meetings which focus on planning, allocation of tasks, feedback or general motivation.
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| Education Sector Applications |  |
Electronic World |