Describe telecommuting as an alternative work arrangement.
Telecommuting refers to working at home at least 2 days a week on a computer linked to the employer's office. This strategy suits three categories of jobs: routine information-handling tasks, mobile activities, and professional and other knowledge-related tasks. The advantages of telecommuting include a larger labor pool from which to select, higher productivity, less turnover, improved morale, and reduced office-space costs. A positive relationship exists between telecommuting and supervisor performance ratings. The major drawback for management is less direct supervision of employees. In today's team-focused workplace, telecommuting may make it more difficult to coordinate teamwork and can reduce knowledge transfer in organizations.