Why remote working (also called teleworking, eworking, etc.) is very well established in schools and universities, but is struggling to establish itself in French companies.
Remote working is generally under control in the school environment
The various assignments, projects and reports carried out by pupils and students are generally written from home. This is therefore a form of teleworking, compared to homework and practical work carried out at school (face-to-face). Most pupils and students are familiar with remote working techniques without knowing it, especially when electronic means of communication such as email and forums are used. Many schools have adopted various ENT (digital working environment), the dialogue between learners and teachers is reinforced. Timetables and traditional textbooks are accessible via the school website, parents have access to their children’s grades, students can get help remotely from their teacher. The technologies used here are generally those to be mastered in order to work effectively remotely in a professional context. Students of this generation are therefore suitable for remote work.
Companies are often reluctant to work remotely
However, companies are very reluctant to implement teleworking. The issues discussed can be resolved by adopting a rigorous remote working implementation strategy. Many reasons are regularly mentioned. The technical environment is little or not adapted, a problem which tends to disappear given the evolution of IT and the free availability of many solutions. The fear of information leakage, a problem solved by the establishment of a secure information system and the signing of confidentiality agreements. The difficulty of controlling the actual working time of employees, this problem does not really have one, the most important thing is no longer the presence time but the quality and added value of the work carried out by the employee. Fear of change remains the biggest obstacle but can be resolved if managers realize the benefits they can derive from this type of work.
Companies have an interest in offering remote work
The advantages are a better living environment and greater flexibility for the employee, better productivity and competitiveness for the company, a reduction in costs (electricity, office, etc.), protection of the environment because travel are reduced and the data is transmitted electronically, fewer documents are printed. Companies that offer certain teleworking positions (even partially or occasionally) can increase their productivity and the well-being of their employees. Future students master new communication technologies and many open-source IT solutions are free and open source. The French State is actively participating in the implementation of teleworking in companies, a Law which regulates this practice was passed on June 9, 2009 by the National Assembly.
There are platforms for connecting e-employers/e-workers
The platform http://www.etravail.org offers to connect e-employers and e-workers. The site has a directory of web work, IT projects, job and internship offers posted by large groups, as well as IT specialist CVs.
This press release was written and published free of charge by “eTravail”