Impact of Telecommuting on Individual Employment Decisions: A Perspective of Sri Lankan IT Expats in Singapore

Abstract

Innovation and rapid technological development enable individuals and organizations to exercise novel and alternative ways of work substituting the conventional methods. According to empirical research, popularity of telecommuting and virtual collaborations has increased enormously due to improved productivity, reduced outlay and enhanced work-life balance which further impacts on employees’ job satisfaction, commitment and the loyalty. This study identifies the individual motivations of telecommuting, factors affecting employment decisions where it discusses the obligations and distractions of telecommuting. Both Qualitative and Quantitative research approaches are used to review the factors that influence employment decisions in depth. Seeing the significance of telecommuting and its’ engagement in diverse employment arrangements increase day by day, employers have set organizational policies to facilitate telecommuting. Study further compares policy development and practices for telecommuting in IT industry in Sri Lanka and Singapore and further to identify practices of telecommuting policies as an attraction of candidates in recruitment. With Covid-19 global pandemic situation, countries around the world face difficulties in upholding national economy while serving national health exertions and mechanisms to prevent dispersion and mortalities. Telecommuting and employment decisions are considered to be imperative as many industries, state organizations, private institutions and volunteer movements encourage employees to work from home during the pandemic situation in order to reduce the disruption that occurs in business operations and employee performance. In future research, it is planned to study on how telecommuting will influence employment decisions in disparity to the external environment.