Harnessing the Internet for Happy Working and the Social Good

The internet revolution has made it possible, even easy, to work from home. This could be the beginning of a revolution, but it's still in its infancy. It isn't for everyone, but it is the key to helping many people re-entering the workplace. Should businesses and even governments be pushing the development of online working, as part of the right to work?

Surf the seas of the internet (or read your spam email) and you'll see it's foaming with opportunities to make money from the comfort of your own home. Many are scams. Others offer small incomes by completing online surveys, producing web content or blogging, usually based on page views and ad-clicking. Few earn a sustainable income this way, though its fun to do. Realising the potential of the internet to transform the labour market, and human lives, seems to be a long way away.

There are many obvious advantages to pushing the process forward. Cutting commuting can only be good for cutting harmful carbon emissions, as well as lowering commuter stress levels. Rural areas in many countries are declining as work shrinks and people move to already overcrowded cities. But perhaps the greatest promise lies in the social benefits of internet-based home working and in the opportunities for those who are currently marginalised from the labour market for a variety of reasons.

Home working offers the physically disabled a chance to earn without the stress of travelling and negotiating disability-unfriendly buildings. For some parents, it's a way of being at home when the kids come home, or for women, dealing with the career setbacks that often accompany maternity leave. Some workers enjoy the escape from the home, but few would disagree that the average nine-to-five job is famously inflexible. Online working unshackles people from the office desk and in many cases allows people to work in their own time - midnight, if that's what suits the individual and his or her productivity the best.

It may not be an option for doctors or truck drivers, or for some jobs with high data security needs. However, the administrative tasks that are part of almost every job can very often be accomplished from home. Home working also offers benefits for employers. Full-time virtual employees save companies money on office space and equipment. The candidate pool widens so that the best candidate can be employed, even is s/he lives miles away. Out-sourcing work can cut costs and boost efficiency.

So why are online jobs still so scarce, unless you're an IT expert? And why is home working part of the time, giving employees much-needed flexibility, not commonly available when it's entirely possible? The problem lies partly with employers who cannot see the benefits, are unwilling to invest in change or are still distrustful of computers and technology. (Some also distrust their workers and like to have them where they can see them.)

Though enlightened employers may embrace online working, the motive is usually profit. Yet the internet revolution can and should be harnessed for social good. Green campaigners and social activists might profitably add home working to their agendas. Governments concerned about social breakdown, unemployment, productivity and GDP might help sow the seeds of change. Investing in the opportunities that the internet promises in the labour market could change millions of lives for the better. Along with the minimum wage, it should be a human right.