Most Executives Believe Work-at-Home is Recipe for Career Stagnation

LOS ANGELES, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — A new survey by the Korn/Ferry Institute found that the vast majority of executives embrace telecommuting as a strategy to boost productivity and allow working parents to continue their careers.  Yet, paradoxically, most also see it as an avenue to career stagnation.

“While some high-profile companies have stepped away from telecommuting, our survey shows that most enterprises still see it as an important way to drive productivity, increase retention and demonstrate inclusion in the workplace,” said Ana Dutra, chief executive officer of Korn/Ferry Leadership and Talent Consulting.  “It is all about driving responsibility and accountability, whether a person works in the office or at home.”

Nearly 80 percent of the executives surveyed earlier this month say their companies allow telecommuting across job categories.  Fully 94 percent of executives, in fact, see telecommuting as an important option for working parents.  Despite it being an essential perk for work-at-home parents, 60 percent believe telecommuting can limit career-growth opportunities.

“While working at home can be beneficial for both companies and workers, it can also lead to ‘invisibility’ that can limit opportunities for career advancement,” said Dutra. “It is important for telecommuters to remain networked as closely as possible with peers and leaders in the office.”

Though the vast majority of executives believe telecommuters should be paid as much as other workers in comparable jobs, two in ten disagree with the notion that pay should be equitable, regardless of work locale.

The survey also found that 77 percent have telecommuted at some point in their careers, and that 58 percent are telecommuting now.