What would make you want to give up your next pay increase? Well, according to a recent survey conducted in Ireland, 41% would give it up if they could eWork.

eWork is defined in Wikipedia as “…working at a distance using information and communications technology”.

To most people this tends to translate into “working from home” but as a business strategy it’s better described as “remote working” since the tools and techniques for enabling home working can just as well be applied to satellite offices and global teams.

Whatever you call it, it’s becoming a world-wide phenomenon. The U.S. Department of Energy projects that the number of eWorkers will reach 29.1 million by 2010, thus accounting for 27.4 per cent of the U.S. workforce. The Japanese, Canadian and Australian governments, recognising the potential economic, social, administrative and environmental benefits, have all recently announced national eWork targets.

It seems that eWorking has the potential to change the way we live as well as the way we work.

With the availability and common use of technologies such as broadband, email, mobile phones, the internet, Electronic Records management etc. it's now possible for knowledge workers to perform much of their job just as effectively away from the office as they can when in it.

The potential benefits and implications of this are huge, not only for individuals but also for employers and for society generally. 

A major effect is to reduce traffic. This in turn reduces pollution, infrastructure costs, fuel costs and commute times. Not having to commute results in additional time for family, friends and domestic matters, less stress and consequently better health, improved morale and the potential for renewing community ties. Research shows that a happier, healthier and life enabled workforce leads to higher productivity, less absenteeism, better staff retention and lower recruitment and training costs.

Removing location from the working equation also creates opportunities to reduce property and administration costs and “Continuity of Operation” risks. It increases the potential skills pool and attracts back into the workforce those unable to travel. The fact that workers can be at their desk in minutes increases operational flexibility and customer service.

But eWorking hasn’t really caught on here yet. The Fourth European Working Conditions Survey of the 27 member/accession states shows us in 20^th place. This means that the critical mass, necessary for employers to feel comfortable with adopting this new way of working, hasn’t been reached; which is a pity, not only for aspiring eWorkers but also for the nation.

Here are a few of the reasons why.

Ø                   Workers who telecommute, either from home or other remote location, report the highest levels of satisfaction with and loyalty to their company (Aug 07 Kenexa Research Institute)

Ø                   Between 75 and 85% of workers are more productive when working in a flexible environment, and employers can trim absenteeism by 60%. Workers who are allowed to work remotely report greater job satisfaction and commitment and are less likely to voluntarily leave their job or look for another (Prof. Patricia Roehling)

Ø                   Irish workplace absenteeism is 3.8% or 9 working days per annum (Small Firms Association, 2007)

Ø                   Work related stress is the second most common health problem in Ireland (CEO, Vivas Health, 2007)

Ø                   eWork could help to reduce risk of a heart disease epidemic (The Independent)

Ø                   A flu pandemic could keep 25% of the working population at home for five to eight working days (Network World)

Ø                   Irish people are now spending more time on the road than any other Europeans (Mar 06 Dr. Peter Jensen)

Ø                   We have the slowest bus speed of the major European capitals, by 36%, and the average speed of buses in Dublin will fall to around 11kmh/6.9mph (a fall of 15%) by 2010. (Mar 06 Dublin Bus)

Ø                   The number of cars and light goods vehicles to rise by 44% by 2020 (Mar 06 NRA)

Ø                   Reducing the number of personally owned petrol cars on Irish roads by just 10% would save 200m litres of fuel and take 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere every year (based on 2006 data provided by Sustainable Energy Ireland)

However, eWorking will not suit every worker, every manager or every job. Some people may benefit from training and some processes may need to be reviewed and revised. To be introduced effectively eWorking requires a new way of working and for most, a new way of thinking.