Psychologist calls for remote work implementation

Workplace psychologist, George Mylonas, spoke at the 2017 Australian Psychology Society College of Organisational Psychologists Conference in Sydney about the implementation of remote work as a standard practice and not a privilege. Remote work or telecommunication is performed by roughly one-quarter of Australians and can be beneficial not only to the employee, but also the employer. 

Mylonas uses findings from his literature review of telecommuting spanning from the 1980's to now to show that remote work can improve productivity and concentration. 

'Employees have enhanced autonomy and control over their work environment, including how they dress, lighting, temperature and background noise, which enhances job satisfaction,' Mylonas says.

Remote work provides employees with a better opportunity to balance work and family responsibilities; not being subjected to direct supervision increases the feeling of freedom. Despite contradictory evidence, many employers in the public and private sectors are concerned that remote work will cause decreased productivity. 

'Employers worry they will lose control over remote workers and be unable to supervise them, provide constructive feedback and deliver performance appraisals,' he said.

Mylonas states that shifting employer focus to results, communication guidelines and managing objectives is crucial.