Telewerk

Telewerk, also known as remote work, is a work arrangement in which employees perform their duties away from a central office, often from home, using information and communication technologies to access systems, communicate, and collaborate. It can be full-time, part-time, or hybrid.

The concept has roots in early telecommunication experiments and expanded with the spread of the internet and mobile devices. It gained substantial traction in the 1990s and 2000s, and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, after which many employers adopted more flexible patterns.

Technologies and practices include videoconferencing, cloud-based document sharing, project management tools, VPNs, and secure remote access. Effective telework requires clear policies, reliable IT support, ergonomic home office setups, data security measures, and compliance with privacy laws.

Potential benefits include reduced commuting time and costs, greater flexibility, improved retention and widening the talent pool, and environmental benefits from lower travel. For some workers, productivity can increase when working in a familiar environment.

Challenges encompass work-life balance boundaries, isolation, management of performance, cybersecurity risks, data protection obligations, and questions around compensation, taxation, and occupational health. Not all jobs or individuals are suited to remote work, and accessibility considerations are important.

Implementation typically involves a formal telework policy, eligibility criteria, guidance on equipment, cybersecurity training, and performance metrics focused on outputs rather than hours.