Telecommuting Telecommuting is a very interesting and complex topic. The pros and cons of this concept are numerous and both sides have excellent arguments. In the research I have done I feel I need to discuss both sides to maintain a sense of perspective. I had mixed feelings about telecommuting before starting this research and I find this is something that many others have in common with me. The reasons for and against teleworking can be complex or simple depending on which point of view you take. From the manager's point of view, telecommuting is a very dangerous undertaking that requires a high level of preparation from the employee. Allowing an employee with a low level of readiness (R1 or R2) to telecommute will likely not have positive results. When an employee has a high level of preparation and a specific desire to try working from home, for one reason or another, many factors must be considered. What type of hours does the employee believe constitutes teleworking? Generally, telecommuting is defined as spending at least one day out of five workdays per week working at home. Is one day at home enough for the employee? Or too little? How does the employer decide how many days to allow? Does the employee's job lend itself well to telecommuting? Some jobs, of course, cannot be performed using the telecommuting format. Does the employee have good experience working without supervision? This refers to readiness levels. An employee who does not reach a high level of preparation should not even be considered a candidate for telework. All these questions and many more need to be answered on a case-by-case basis. This particular venture into creative planning has its ups and downs from the employee's perspective as well. It can be a beautiful bed of roses for both the employee and the employer. Lots of nice smells and pretty sights, but watch out for the thorns. In several studies I have reviewed I have noticed that the telecommuting population loses many of the basic social contacts associated with the office environment. Evaluating the correct amount of time an employee should spend working at home in relation to working in the office can have a significant impact on both performance and satisfaction. It is usually difficult for someone to completely isolate themselves from their work environment and still perform well. The feeling of being out of touch with others in the world of work can be alleviated by the use of email, conference calls and the ever faithful telephone..