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In a decision announced last week, the CEO of Yahoo is putting an end to telecommuting in June. Employees who have worked for years from home are now going to be required to start working in the office instead.
The CEO stated that people needed to be face to face in the same room in order to work more efficiently.
The issue has brought attention to this segment of the American workforce, as just a few years ago, telecommuting was being promoted as the savior of the business world. It would save workers commuting time and gas, keep more cars off the roadways which would reduce congestion in large metro areas, and give workers more flexibility to choose their work time given the 24/7 accessibility to the Internet.
Telecommuting seems to be more prevalent in the software, social media, and graphic design fields, where creativity is essential. Workers given the opportunity to work hours of their choosing and from the place of their choosing seemed to fit in with the concept of encouraging outside the box thinking.
Telecommuting seemed to be the answer to concerns over work/ life balance, environmental damage and pollution from cars, and providing opportunities for individuals who might not function well in a typical office setting, which has changed little in decades.
Although there may be cases of abuse in some areas, it seems that the benefits would outweigh those concerns. Telecommuters can be linked easily for meetings through Skype, can work at all hours of the day and night, don’t have the travel times to and from work, can be home with their families and arrange doctor appointments for illnesses without necessarily having to miss work, and can save money on the expenses related to working in an office setting.
While other companies haven’t yet followed Yahoo’s example, it would be a shame to see this become a trend.
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Working from home
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
