Does it matter where you work? A comparison of how three work venues (traditional office, virtual office, and home office) influence aspects of work and personal/family life

Keywords

Telework, Work at home, Telecommuting, Work/life, Virtual office, Flexiplace, Alternative work arrangements, Flexible work arrangements

Abstract

Millions use electronic tools to do their jobs away from the traditional office. Some labor in a “virtual office” with flexibility to work wherever it makes sense and others telecommute primarily from home. This IBM study compares how three work venues (traditional office, n=4316, virtual office, n=767, and home office, n=441) may influence aspects of work (job performance, job motivation, job retention, workload success, and career opportunity) and personal/family life (work/life balance and personal/family success). Perceptions, direct comparisons, and multivariate analyses suggest that the influence of the virtual office is mostly positive on aspects of work but somewhat negative on aspects of personal/family life. The influence of the home office appears to be mostly positive and the influence of traditional office mostly negative on aspects of both work and personal/life. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Hill, E. J., Ferris, M., & Martinson, V. (2003). Does it matter where you work?: A comparison of how three work venues (traditional office, virtual office and home office) influence aspects of work and work/family balance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(2), 220-241. doi: 10.1016/S0001-8791(03)00042-3

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2003-10

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5140

Publisher

Journal of Vocational Behavior

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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