Ever since the early 1990’s professionals from various sectors of the workplace industry
(property, IT, behavioural) have been tantalizing us with the new world where most of us Work From Home. This new world order based on the explosion in technology and a new generation of Internet Business entrepreneurs has promised a lot but really would seem to have failed to deliver.

Firstly, the idea that a large number of us would in effect have what amounts to online jobs has not taken place. The definition of online jobs in this instance is not normal, the model developed by workplace experts would see the vast majority of corporate employees employed to work from home, connection to the office would be via their Laptop. While in most cases these people would have communication on a regular basis with management and team members they would in actual fact carry out their responsibilities via the PC, therefore in essence they will have Online Jobs.

The reality of how working patterns have distorted is however, somewhat different. There is no doubt that there has been a rise in flexible working, by which is meant the capability to work in a number of different places and a degree of choice and government displayed by the employee in choosing the most right location for that work but whatever the advances in technology, broadband availability and changes in management customs the sea change just hasn’t happened.

There are a number of explanations why not. Firstly, while development in technology have made distant working possible, changes in the nature of work have made it undesirable. Workplace behaviourists have identified that the vast majority of office based workers now reclassified as knowledge workers, produce output concepts, services and strategies. In order for them to function effectively they need communication.

Secondly, the quantum of the effect of flexible working behaviours has been difficult to demonstrate. So while the property costs and benefits are easily measured the real benefits in terms of the contribution to core business of the firm can not be evaluated, even in the case of an Internet Business, where the total transaction takes place online, there is still a case for co-location and relations which cannot be proven or discounted.

With these two opposite factors the growth of flexible working has been slow and until workplace industry can display the benefits of productivity or make a solid case for no human contact then it is improbable we will see the promised sea change in working patterns and behaviours.