2does Telework Increase Or Decrease Productivityreginald Weathertoncol ✓ Solved
2 Does telework increase or decrease productivity Reginald Weatherton Colorado State University Global ORG575-1 – Critical Evaluation of Research and Theory Dr. John Johnson March 28, 2021 Does telework increase or decrease productivity Teleworking, better known as working from home, refers to employees' ability to work remotely away from the organization's offices. With the help of modern technology, most organizations have made it easier for employees to work from home. Although the workers have the freedom to work away from the offices, teleworking gives the employer the mandate to keep in touch with them. The majority of employees prefer working from home because they do not have to commute to work early in the morning and home late in the evening.
According to Vyas & Butakhieo (2021), the majority of companies, towards the end of the year 2020, introduced the option of employees working from home. Some companies offered the employees the mechanism to facilitate the option of working from home. However, some companies never bothered to offer employees the latest technology to assist in working remotely. Many employees across the globe encounter difficulty when it comes to communicating with colleagues and senior management. Poor internet connectivity in remote areas has caused employees to lose their jobs, as most companies do not offer technical solutions regarding telecommuting says Ansong & Boateng (2018).
The inability to receive and send messages faster contributes to miscommunication with coworkers, affecting the overall productivity and level of efficiency within the organization. The question of whether telework increases or decreases productivity will be the focus of discussion in the paper. Although telecommuting has become popular in current organizations by allowing employees to work remotely, a key challenge to both employees and organizations is strong internet connectivity. The majority of the organization, due to covid-19, have forced employees to work from home to help reduce the spread of the virus. Internet connectivity has become a significant setback to working from home.
Each organization requires team meetings to update employees on the current affairs pertaining to the organization's progress (Ansong & Boateng). Senior leadership utilizes meetings to communicate and update various staff members on attaining the organization's vision and mission. Lack of a strong internet connection affects the nature in which companies hold meetings as some employees remain dormant in all meetings. Workers living in rural areas face low internet speeds and weak internet connectivity, making it almost impossible for them to attend meetings effectively. Subsequently, as pointed out by Vyas & Butakhieo (2021) some employees live in rural areas that lack WI-FI connectivity.
Organizations ought to solve the issue of internet connectivity by offering employees mobile data. The mobile data will help employees in using a mobile hotspot to access the internet via laptops. Organizations might occasionally arrange physical meetings to ensure that all employees participate in developing objectives and strategies to help the organization attain its mission and vision. Various challenges arise with employees working from home during the lockdown caused by the covid-19 pandemic, says Chang (2020). One key challenge facing organizations during teleworking of employees is that some organizations require employees to use specific applications on laptops and desktops.
According to Lee (2015) employees consistently report to work during normal working conditions and find a readymade laptop or desktop that is functional . The information technology team constantly works to maintain and repair computers to ensure they function properly and make it smooth for the rest of the employees to work without challenges. However, working at home implies that each employee has to utilize the laptop and desktop. Some of the electronic devices used by workers at home lack the capability to function with the organizational software and applications. Most employees lack information concerning the correct operating system needed for the company's software to function without any challenges.
For instance, the majority of the organizations utilize computers that have Microsoft-related software, but not all laptops come with such applications, says Susanto(2019). Some employees might have laptops with different operating systems, making it almost impossible for them to work from home. Organizations need to invest in a long-term solution in delivering laptops that have installed software needed for daily task functions. Companies can solve the challenge by giving laptops to employees and possibly deducting the amount from salaries (Chang 1). Alternatively, the company can offer the employees online access to sites that workers can download the required applications and software.
Another challenge that employees and the organization might encounter during teleworking is the number of disruptions, especially for parents working from home. Working from home becomes a significant challenge to parents because of the lack of the ability to differentiate between work and home duties and routines (Vries, Tummers & Bekkers 2021). Parents lack the ability to deny attention to the children back at home that might require help during the day. Working from the office helps parents avoid disruptions from other family members. However, during the covid-19 pandemic lockdown, parents and children are staying at home.
Some children attended classes using the online learning platform, while some parents continued working from home (Susanto et.al 2019). The majority of the parents face a difficult time separating home duties from the assigned work tasks. Over the previous two years, employees have lost their jobs because of attending meetings late with the excuse of having to deal with family matters. Some family members attend meetings while having children playing in the background of the camera in applications such as Zoom and Skype (Lee 2015). A solution to parents' home-related distractions is for them to employ someone to help in running the house choirs while they work from home in peace.
Additionally, parents should consider creating an office in the house that has limited movement. The office door back at home could have a sign to indicate the working hours and do not disturb sign during meetings to keep the children away during these times. The distractions that employees face while working at home make it difficult for organizations to count each worker's number of working hours per day. The organization's inability to measure the number of hours as well as input effort by employees makes it a challenge, especially during calculations of payment (Vries, Tummers & Bekkers, 2019) References Ansong, Eric, & Boateng, Richard. Organisational adoption of telecommuting: Evidence from a developing country.
E J Info Sys Dev Countries. 2018; 84:e12008. Chang, Yuhsuan et al. "Telecommuting during the coronavirus pandemic: Future time orientation as a mediator between proactive coping and perceived work productivity in two cultural samples." Personality and individual differences vol. ): 110508. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2020.110508 Lee, Jungwoo. The Impact of ICT on Work.
Springer, 2015. Susanto, Heru et. al. Human Capital in Today's Globalization: A Management Information System Perspective. Apple Academic Press, 2019. Vries, Hanna, Tummers, Lars & Bekkers, Victor.
"The Benefits of Teleworking in the Public Sector: Reality or Rhetoric?" Review of Public Personnel Administration, vol. 39, no. 4, Dec. 2019, pp. 570–593, doi:10.1177/X.
Vyas, Lina & Butakhieo, Nantapong. The impact of working from home during COVID-19 on work and life domains: an exploratory study on Hong Kong. Journal of policy design and practice, (4), 1, 2021. 5 Early Childhood Assignment Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Name Instructor’s Name Date Early Childhood Assignment Early Childhood Behavior Management: Teaching and Reinforcing Rules Video 1: The STAR Classroom Rules The teacher in the video was taking advantage of large-group circle time as an opportune time to review the Star classroom rules. During this time, the children are more focused on what the teacher is talking about and are therefore rarely distracted.
I think that it is important to review the rules at this time because the children are more relaxed and can therefore recall the rules. It also incorporates the concept of fun within the classroom and enables children to explore new ideas among them recalling classroom rules. The teacher might also review the results when the child is not following the rules. This strategy would work well because the child will become aware of their mistake and remember the next time they are not following the rule. To accommodate a child who has a language delay, the teacher can teach the understanding of concepts and words through the use of objects.
The teacher can then progress from concrete to abstract objects so that the child learns, practices, and follows the rules. Video 2: Teaching Rules in Context When two young children were not being safe, the teacher took a break from teaching the entire class and focused on the two students. During this time, the teacher asked the individual children how they were going to be safe in the classroom. Through this, the teacher successfully embedded instructions within a naturally occurring activity (play) to provide contextually relevant learning opportunities. I feel that this was an effective strategy because it not only provided a learning opportunity for the children but also provided a means by which a teacher can affect the learning of rules in their classroom.
Video 3: STAR Family Song The act of singing has several purposes in learning rules and informing the visitor about the Star rules. These have several benefits for the teacher and the children. Singing generally affects critical areas of the brain that encourage development and nourishment. It also strengthens the listening ability of children and enhances their motor skills. This is evidenced in the video since the children are waving as they sing.
Singing is also beneficial since it empowers children with opportunities to practice social and emotional skills. Dual Language Learners: Working with Families of Young Children It is important to involve families in decisions about how to support young children’s language development so that there is a proper understanding of the linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity so that there is better responsiveness. Involving the family is also important in understanding whether a child has any developmental delays or disorders. The families are therefore an important resource because they build partnerships with teachers on how to help the children learn and develop language. When working with the families of young Dual Language Learners (DLLs), it is important to help them understand the value of supporting home language in the classroom and fully involving them in the decisions that involve the children especially those with disabilities.
The practitioners should ensure that they incorporate the suggestions of the family so that children can fully adapt to the environments that support their language development. Assistive Technology: An Overview Question 1 The three items that can be considered include an audio book, braille book, and a text reader. An audiobook is useful for blind students because they will not need the help of adults with reading. A braille book is also important because once the blind students have learned braille language they can read easily. Lastly, a text reader is important because blind students can use it to listen to lessons after attending a class.
Question 2 AT can improve the functional performance of people with disabilities thus allowing them to effectively communicate and perform any task. It can also provide people with access to materials that can allow them to participate in extracurricular and social activities. For students, it is a valuable tool for meeting educational goals. Question 3 It is important to consider both AT devices and services because they work together to provide students with the capabilities to meet their education goals. Question 4 The implementation team needs to know what an AT is and how students can utilize it to overcome barriers due to their disability.
The team needs to know the right personnel that can assist in successful implementation. The team should also ensure that student’s needs are being achieved and that they are using the resources sustainably. Question 5 The implementation team can use student feedback to determine whether they like AT or not. They can also use performance data to establish whether AT helps students to perform better. The team can also use observations to establish whether students appear interested or engaged while using AT.
Question 6 I would gather information about AT, the difficulties that the student may have undergone during the class, and the specific times of difficulties. I would also gather information about any disability that the student may have and appropriately review the literature on how to deal with such a disability. I would also seek guidance from another teacher who has used AT. Question 7 My role as a general educator is to understand the needs of the student by understanding their strengths and weaknesses. I also need to participate in AT training so that I learn more about AT and its perceived benefits to a student.
I should also encourage the use of AT by communicating and collaborating with other teachers. 4 Scholarly articles on issue in early childhood education 1 REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS 4 Discussion: Leaders and Stakeholders’ Perspectives Assignment: To prepare for Part 2 of the Discussion, reflect on the problem statements you discussed in the Module 4 Discussion and select one problem statement to address for this part of the Discussion. Think about the key stakeholders in relation to your problem statement and consider why these stakeholders are relevant to the problem. What questions, related to the problem, might you ask these key stakeholders? In determining key stakeholders, you might ask yourself: · Who will I need to obtain approval from in order to explore this problem? · As it pertains to stakeholders, what are the risks and benefits of exploring this problem? · Who will I need to involve as participants in exploring this problem? · How will the possible outcomes of exploring this problem impact the stakeholders positively and/or negatively?
Write a 1 page about the key stakeholders related to your selected problem statement with an explanation as to why these stakeholders are relevant to the problem. Then, identify at least four questions about the problem to which you would like stakeholders to respond. Finally, explain why the responses may be important to understanding and/or addressing the problem. Include intext citations an include references. Look back attachments from Module 4 to complete this…..
Paper for above instructions
Does Telework Increase or Decrease Productivity?Introduction
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, organizations around the globe adopted telework as a primary modality of operation. Teleworking, or remote work, allows employees to perform their duties from locations outside the traditional office setting. According to Vyas & Butakhieo (2021), the sudden shift to remote work prompted numerous organizations to reevaluate their work policies and adapt to new technological innovations. However, the efficacy of telework on productivity remains a contentious topic. This paper aims to critically evaluate both the advantages and challenges presented by telework in regard to employee productivity.
Advantages of Telework
1. Flexible Work Environment: One of the primary benefits of telework is improved flexibility, allowing employees to work in environments conducive to their productivity (Lee, 2015). No commute means employees can allocate that time towards productive work or personal commitments, thereby fostering a better work-life balance.
1. Increased Job Satisfaction: Employees often report heightened job satisfaction when working from home due to reduced commuting stress and greater autonomy (Chang, 2020). This satisfaction can translate into increased motivation and engagement, directly impacting overall productivity levels.
1. Cost Savings for Employers and Employees: Organizations can save on overhead costs associated with office space and resources when employees telework. Similarly, employees save on transportation costs and time, which can improve their morale and work ethic (Susanto et al., 2019).
Challenges of Telework
Despite its advantages, telework poses significant challenges that can hinder productivity:
1. Internet Connectivity: A major challenge for teleworkers is the reliance on robust internet connectivity. Vyas & Butakhieo (2021) highlight that many employees, especially those in rural areas, experience difficulties due to slow or unreliable internet, leading to communication issues and decreased efficiency.
1. Technology Limitations: Not all employees have access to organizational-grade technology at home. Many employees may find their personal devices incompatible with company software, which impedes productivity (Susanto et al., 2019). Organizations need to equip employees with proper tools to ensure seamless workflows.
1. Distractions at Home: Working from home poses distractions that office environments typically minimize. Parents, for example, may struggle to separate family responsibilities from work duties, leading to decreased focus and performance (Vries et al., 2019).
1. Isolation and Communication Breakdowns: Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation among employees, impacting team dynamics and communication. Miscommunication may arise when team members are not physically present, leading to project delays (Ansong & Boateng, 2018).
Recommendations for Organizations
To optimize productivity in a telework environment, organizations should consider the following strategies:
1. Provide Technological Support: Organizations should ensure that all employees have access to the necessary technology and internet services. This could involve supplying tools, providing stipends for internet costs, or offering technical support to troubleshoot issues (Lee, 2015).
1. Set Clear Expectations: Clearly defined work hours and objectives can enhance accountability while lessening the feeling of chaos that often comes from teleworking arrangements. Regular check-ins and updates can further mitigate communication gaps (Vries et al., 2019).
1. Promote a Balanced Work-Life Integration: Encouraging employees to prioritize work-life balance can improve their overall well-being. Organizational policies might include flexible working hours and scheduled breaks to reduce stress and manage workloads (Chang, 2020).
1. Creative Communication Strategies: Organizations can utilize videoconferencing tools and instant messaging platforms effectively to promote team cohesion and communication (Susanto et al., 2019). Informal virtual meet-ups or “coffee breaks” can also combat feelings of isolation.
Conclusion
The question of whether telework increases or decreases productivity is multifaceted. Although there are notable advantages, challenges such as internet issues, technology limitations, distractions at home, and communication breakdowns can impede effectiveness. Organizations must proactively address these obstacles through supportive measures and clear expectations to harness the full potential of telework. As work environments continue to evolve, adapting to a hybrid work model may ultimately offer the most balance for productivity and employee satisfaction.
References
- Ansong, E., & Boateng, R. (2018). Organisational adoption of telecommuting: Evidence from a developing country. E J Info Sys Dev Countries, 84, e12008.
- Chang, Y. (2020). Telecommuting during the coronavirus pandemic: Future time orientation as a mediator between proactive coping and perceived work productivity in two cultural samples. Personality and Individual Differences, 110508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110508
- Lee, J. (2015). The Impact of ICT on Work. Springer.
- Susanto, H., et al. (2019). Human Capital in Today’s Globalization: A Management Information System Perspective. Apple Academic Press.
- Vries, H., Tummers, L., & Bekkers, V. (2019). The Benefits of Teleworking in the Public Sector: Reality or Rhetoric? Review of Public Personnel Administration, 39(4), 570–593. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X18750918
- Vyas, L., & Butakhieo, N. (2021). The impact of working from home during COVID-19 on work and life domains: an exploratory study on Hong Kong. Journal of Policy Design and Practice, 12(1), 1-20.
By following these recommendations, organizations can better navigate the complexities of telework, potentially enhancing both engagement and productivity.