• Is Telecommuting Any Business of Government?

There’s a provocative, perhaps intentionally obtuse, blog [link below] that argues: Should the Government Incentivize Telecommuting?

Why does the EPA and DOT need to fund some organization that promotes telecommuting? Why does Virginia need to give $35,000 to companies that adopt teleworking programs? Why does Oregon need to give tax credits and vouchers to businesses that invest in telecommuting equipment? Why do we need to pay salaries, benefits, and pensions to the government workers who run all of this?

Why can’t we let companies come to these conclusions on their own? If telecommuting is the smart, profitable way to do business, you’ll see more companies telecommuting. You’ll see McKinsey letting its consultants work from home every day. You’ll see Goldman Sachs setting up home offices for its investment bankers. You’ll see Skadden Arps incentivizing its lawyers to not come to work.

Why don’t you see any of this?

Maybe it’s because telecommuting has never been conclusively proven to provide a net benefit. Maybe it’s because business owners don’t want their employees sitting at home watching soap operas, taking naps, trolling MySpace, downloading porno, skipping off to “community events,” immersing themselves in spy novels, or simply lying around doing nothing. Maybe it’s because successful management requires oversight, face-to-face interaction, and in-the-flesh meetings.

Either way, why is any of this the government’s business? Why the involvement? Why the expenditure of tax dollars?

One commenter says:

If you manage a company, you have to be crazy to let your employees work from home….My company is old school. At your desk by 8, leave by 5. Open office space so people can easily talk to each other as issues arise. Much more productive than if I was to let my employees work from home. I can GUARANTEE you that they’d be doing exactly what you mention above. Especially the ones in their 20s. Our taxes should DEFINITELY not support any govt efforts to push U.S. businesses toward telecommuting. Talk about govt interference in the market!

As you might guess I posted some very strong (but polite) feelings about this. What do you think?