Aussies want to work from home

The independent research has been released as part of a report entitled: Worldwide Workplace: The Web Commuting Imperative, which provides a snapshot of the evolving trend to the location-independent workplace. It revealed 58% of Australian full-time workers would like to work remotely, yet 66% 'never' have the ability to do so.

The research compares and contrasts attitudes of workers and owners of small businesses in the Australia, the US and UK. Conducted by the polling company, inc./WomanTrend, it surveyed samples of 600 American, British and Australian workers, as well as 100 small business owners in each location[i].

Citrix Online also announced the formation of the Worldwide Workplace Council, a group of thought leaders and advocates drawn from a wide range of areas affected by the growth of the trend towards remote working. Members of the council, based in the US, the UK and Australia/New Zealand, will foster multiple points of view, advocate changes to traditional business models, and develop broad-based recommendations around the concept of 'web commuting'.

The research findings illustrate the paradox between what businesses and workers perceive to be important to success ― and the realities of the workplace. Among the findings:

• Australians would take a pay cut to work from home: Sixteen per cent of Australian workers and 17% of small business owners would give up 5% of their salary to work from home one to two days a week.
• Australians want remote working, but the reality is different: Fifty-eight per cent of Australian full-time workers would like to work from home, yet two thirds of workers 'never' have the ability to work remotely. However, 64% of Australian small business owners say they frequently work remotely.
• Australian small businesses lack access to web commuting technology: Australian small business owners (17%) do not have access to technology or software that makes Web Commuting possible, compared to 8% in the US and 14% in the UK.
• Technology preference ― Aussies prefer mobile devices: Mobile phones (64%) are the number one tool used by Australian employees for working remotely. E-mail and the Internet are the most used by workers in the US and UK.
• Breaking free from corporate culture: Freedom from rigid office hours is what employers and employees in all three geographies like most about Web Commuting. Australians are shown to be particularly independent ― 40% of workers polled rank 'setting my own hours or schedule' as the top benefit of working remotely, against 37% in the US and 35% in the UK.
• Flexible hours will lead to future success: Forty-five per cent of Australian small business owners say offering flexible hours is the most 'practical and essential' ingredient of a successful business in the future, while 30% deem this to be the second most essential ingredient. This option was selected over elements including affordable health insurance and maintaining a diverse workforce.
• Remote working to help with succession planning: Of those planning to reduce their work hours prior to retirement, 25% of employees and a massive 57% of small business owners plan to frequently work remotely.

Joseph Sweeney, Advisor, IBRS, a member of the Worldwide Workplace Council, said the research findings pointed to several challenges in the successful widespread implementation of remote working. Many small businesses, for example, are lacking the technology to make web commuting possible. "While small business owners recognise the importance of offering a flexible work environment, they are behind the times when it comes to implementing remote working practices. Many simply don't know the first steps to take and face challenges in finding the right tools to use," he said. 

Council member Bevis England, director of Telework New Zealand and facilitator of the Telework Australia Initiative, said there were also challenges in a lack of understanding from employers and a lack of commitment across governments. "There are multi-faceted benefits from working remotely ― from reduced traffic congestion and emissions; to a better work-life balance and a happier workforce; assistance with rural development; and assistance with pandemic and business continuity planning. These benefits must be advocated at the highest level, from leaders in government. The sentiment will then trickle down to leaders in business," he said.

H.R. Shiever, MD of Citrix Online Asia Pacific, said: "From our experience developing online technologies that enable web commuting, we understand the huge impact this practice is having on every aspect of work and life," he said.

"Web commuting gives individuals the ability to be equally productive whether they're in the office or a continent away. It also gives companies the ability to change the economics of their business, by slashing infrastructure costs and hiring the best employees regardless of where they live."

Provided by HCAmag.com