Technology advances and innovations bring advantages and
efficiencies. But, sooner or later, most changes bring potential
disadvantages as well. In the end, we can't resist
technological change: the trick is to leverage the advantages
against the disadvantages and be prepared to address the
downside.
Nowhere is this more true than the workplace, wherever it might
be. More frequently, employers are using telecommuting as a means
of increasing productivity and efficiency. In 2009, 34 million
workers in the United States telecommuted at least part of the
week, and estimates are that by 2016, 63 million workers (43% of
the work force) will telecommute.
An employee's at-home "virtual office" might
consist of a cell phone and a laptop computer. These relatively
inexpensive and portable items permit an employee to work just
about anywhere there is a wireless network or cell coverage. In
addition, it's important to note that with these technologies,
even employees who
