answer the question and reply on two post 

Question:

Is a telecommuting policy a benefit that is essential to attracting top employees to a company?  Why or why not?

student 1 

A telecommuting policy includes defining online work hours, hourly reporting, security protocol and communication guidelines. No, I don’t believe a telecommuting policy is essential to attract top employees, at least not just yet. As technology has improved there has been a spike in people working from home. Now that virtual meeting and online communication has become more standard in work culture there is no reason that companies shouldn’t allow employees to work from home when they need to. I think when companies implement standards to allow for telecommuting many opportunities for employees open. Employees can work while ill and not have to take a day off to stay home, and parents are able to take time to care for children. These flexible schedules are becoming more common, and people reap positive benefits from them. But telecommuting is not essential to attract high functioning employees. While there are more people looking for these flexible positions there are many others who prefer to have a separation from their home and work. When work is done at home to some it seems like it is never done. Depending on the person, leaving the house to work is their form of work-life balance. Therefore, is a telecommuting policy essential to attract top employees? No, there will be top workers who want that office job over the remote position, while it is beneficial to have telecommuting policies in place for those who would prefer to work at home, many people understand that a job is something you leave the house to go do.

student 2

Yes, a telecommuting policy is a great policy to have in place when running any business. This makes the job process for employees much more flexible and they can fit the job into their lifestyle and schedule. I feel that the freedom and flexibility that telecommunication provides can and will attach top employees. Top employees are usually good at their jobs and hardworking, but some may feel that the requirement to be in the office during the work week is a bit binding. Some might want to take a three-week trip to Europe or go on a three months trip in an RV, and telecommunications makes this possible because as long as someone has WiFi and all other means available to do their job well they can be anywhere in the world. This also helps the acceptance of working overtime to be better because the employee does not have to spend more time away from home at the office but they can work from their home with all the creature comforts. Next, this can decrease the amount of time that an employee takes off because if they are feeling under the weather or have a game to attend for their children they can manipulate their schedule around that, but get all of their work done. Lastly, this can reduce the overhead cost for companies because they are not having to rent out office space and incurr other expenses that come with having people in the office. Telecommuting is beginning to become the new route for business because the benefits greatly outweigh the costs.