Organization advantage: Experience of telework in India

Telework is defined as using information and communications technologies to work beyond the employers’ premises. In India, the dominant notion is that telework is meant for married people and women who are primarily employed in the information technology/information technology-enabled services, or the finance or media sectors. The chapter finds that although employees from these sectors dominate telework, but other sectors such as hospitality, telecommunications and manufacturing also employ teleworkers. Teleworking is not only restricted to married women, but is equally availed of by both married men and unmarried employees. However, teleworking is not an employee prerogative; the final decision rests with management, which must implement measures to maintain control. Not surprisingly, a substantial number of teleworking employees report that they work all the time. Consequently, teleworkers argue that employees should have more say when it comes to setting targets, influencing performance appraisals and accessing promotions, privileges, leave and holidays, and overtime payments.