Effects of Teleworking on an Organization's Overall Productivity and Morale

Abstract

While the concept of teleworking has been around for decades, the Department of Defense has recently taken major steps to expand its telework capabilities. The primary reasoning for this increase in capabilities over the past five years has been mitigating potential mission impact in response to the spread of COVID-19 and the related social distancing requirements. Since then, there has been a major shift incorporating telework into day-to-day activities within both public and private workforces. This research explores how telework affects individual and group productivity. Analysis of previous studies and literature review assisted in the development of a survey that received responses from multiple agencies that provide varying types of logistic support to the DOD. Survey respondents, on average, favored telework and wanted to increase the number of days per week that they work remotely. Further, they indicated that the development and implementation of a telework policy can positively impact the overall morale and productivity of an organization. Organizations that employ telework policies should capitalize on the benefits of telework to increase job satisfaction. Our research shows that telework provides the flexibility that individuals desire, and with the correct management and support it can increase morale and productivity.