ABSTRACT
The definition of teleworking is 'working at a distance from one's employer or client, generally using information technology resources'. It is characterised by moving the work to the workers, instead of the workers to work. Teleworking is a type of flexible working. Others are job-sharing and flexitime, part-time and termtime working. Teleworking includes working at a local telecottage or telecentre – where workers have access to information technology and some office support facilities – instead of commuting to an office. Ursula Huws identifies five types of teleworking: multi-site teleworking, tele-homeworking, freelance or independent teleworking, mobile teleworkers and re-located back office teleworking. A number of local authorities, such as Enfield Borough Council, used teleworking to cope with the additional administrative burden required by the introduction of the UK's poll tax. Teleworking can provide a powerful solution to a number of workplace problems. It is effective for some people in some situations, but it is not a universal panacea.
