Factors associated with attitudes towards telecommuting

A survey of the attitudes of female computer professionals in Singapore towards telecommuting was carried out. Seventy-three percent of the 459 respondents were in favour of telecommuting. Most would prefer to work at home 1 to 3 days a week and at the office on the other days, rather than working at home full time. They would telecommute only in times of need (e.g. when they have young children) and were concerned with work and interaction-related problems which might arise from telecommuting. The findings suggest that telecommuting will be of particular interest to employees who are married, those with a high proportion of work that can be done at home, those who find their journey to work frustrating, and those with supervisors and coworkers who are supportive of telecommuting. Respondents who are single and have a study room at home are also likely to favour telecommuting. Implications are discussed.