INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TELECOMMUTING AND CAREER HARM

Abstract

Telecommuting is a work practice that continues to increase every year. As telecommuting continues to become more prevalent and part of a normal work experience, employees need to understand how their decision to telecommute can potentially impact their career. This study sampled from online participants and investigated the relationship between telecommuting frequency and pay (annual earnings and percentage increase in annual earnings). Results found there is no relationship between telecommuting frequency and pay. Additionally, this study examined two other variables: perceived manager support and career ambition. Results show there is a relationship between perceived manager support and telecommuting frequency. While career ambition was not found to moderate the relationship between telecommuting frequency and pay, this study adds to the growing literature of telecommuting and career harm, offering explanations for the inconsistency in findings between telecommuting frequency and pay. This study is also one of the first to identify perceived manager support of telecommuting in a mid-pandemic world.