Telework Outlook 
1997 and beyond

The present status of telework in Europe, as a major item on the agenda of many decision-makers but as yet still only a minority practice, needs to be built upon in the future if its benefits to Europe's economic and social well-being are to be optimised. In particular, the major restraining factors like lack of awareness, unclear social and legal policies, and quality and costs of information- and communication equipment and services, need to be tackled and the major drivers strengthened.

The European Commission has a major role to play in this, but this can only be successful in co-operation with other powerful actors, like the industry in taking the opportunities offered by a liberalised telecom market, and like the social partners, national and regional governments, employers and industry.

In its recent Communication on The Social and Labour Market Dimension of the Information Society the creation of an adequate framework for telework is mentioned as one of the priorities. The objective of the Commission is to improve the conditions for the development of telework. For this the following Key Actions are envisaged. The Commission will:

1.initiate, in the first half of 1998, consultations with the Social Partners on whether and to what extent Community action on the protection of teleworkers is advisable

2.continue to co-operate with the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions to undertake research on working conditions of teleworkers

3.propose to enhance the role of research on technologies supporting telework and related social and employment implications in the 5th RTD Framework Programme

4.continue to support awareness raising activities related to telework

5.study how telework can be promoted within the Commission itself.

Today, although still not a major type of work organisation, at least 2 million Europeans are teleworking in some form or other. The nature of telework has changed as both managers and the workforce are now becoming more aware of the benefits of being able to work where and when it seems most appropriate to do so, from both a commercial and a personal perspective.

Much of this has been driven by rapid improvements in the availability and affordability of advanced technologies, including in recent years the unprecedented growth of both on-line and mobile communications. The problems of working together over distance will be lessened, even more, in the coming years. Teleworking and flexible working are set to become easier, less expensive, and applicable to many more people. Even for those who are restricted to narrowband access, it will be easy to hold daily videoconferences with superiors, colleagues and customers, and to access audio, graphical and text information world-wide.

It is clear that available technology and its falling cost will stimulate further expansion of telework practices. Therefore, the need for a social and legal framework is growing every day.

Summarising the major initiatives of importance in 1997 and beyond, related to the further development of new ways of working in the Information Society and teleworking, mentioned in previous sections:

For the first time, the Commission proposal for the 5th Framework Programme brings together in one Key Action “New Ways of Working and Electronic Commerce”, within the integrated Information Society theme, all actions related to helping companies operate more efficiently, as well as in trading goods and services. The priority topics will be:

1.flexible, mobile and remote working methods, for individuals and for co-operative and group working, as well as working methods based on simulation and virtual reality

2.management systems for suppliers and consumers, including inter-operable payment systems

3.information and network security, including the technical means for authentication and the protection of integrity and intellectual property rights.

Close links with other parts of the Fifth Framework Programme, like the Key Action on “products, processes, and organisation” under the theme: Promoting competitive and Sustainable Growth, will be ensured.

It is a long way, however, from Commission proposals to operational reality. Assuming the principles remain as they are proposed, the Commission’s Services are well on their way in preparing for the Specific Programmes. A first Call for Proposals under the 5th Framework Programme might be  launched after the summer of 1998.

More information  on:

DGXIII/B