Telework has become a reality for millions of employees around the world. But it wasn’t always this common. Discover the history of telework, from its first experiments in the 1960s to its massive adoption during the 2020 health crisis.
The beginnings of teleworking : from first ideas to first experiences
The first attempts in the 1960s
The idea of remote work dates back to the 1960s, well before the digital age we know today. American mathematician Norbert Wiener was one of the first to remotely supervise the construction of a building in the United States while being in Europe, thanks to the means of communication of the time. But it was really in the 1970s that the concept of teleworking took shape with the advent of the telephone and fax.
The 1980s: the emergence of the term “telework”
The term "telework" appeared in the 1980s, at a time when the first personal computers were beginning to enter companies. Pioneering companies, such as IBM, experimented with working from home for some employees in order to reduce office costs and improve productivity. In France, telework began to be discussed as a tool to improve regional planning.
The beginnings of teleworking in France
👉 Discover in this INA video the beginnings of teleworking in France in the 1980s
Balancing professional and personal life : an early advantage of teleworking
From its earliest experiences, teleworking showed a crucial advantage: the possibility of reconciling professional and personal life . By allowing workers to stay at home, this method offered better time management and less stress related to commuting.
The evolution of teleworking with new technologies
The rise of ICT in the 1990s
The real turning point for teleworking came with the arrival of New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT) in the 1990s. Thanks to the Internet and personal computers, it became possible for employees to work from home while being connected to their colleagues remotely. Companies gradually adopted these technologies to improve productivity and reduce costs related to physical infrastructure.
Benefits of teleworking for employees and employers
The benefits of telework for employees are numerous: better time management, reduced stress, and greater autonomy. But it also offers advantages for employers, notably by reducing office costs and increasing productivity.
Teleworking in the 2000s and 2010s: from marginality to the norm
The 2020 health crisis : an accelerator for teleworking
While teleworking already existed in certain sectors such as IT or consulting, it was truly the health crisis of 2020 that made it essential. The containment measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions of employees to work from home, sometimes for the first time. In France, the Macron ordinance of 2017 had already established a legal framework for teleworking, but the pandemic accelerated its adoption.
A hybrid model for the future?
Today, companies are adapting by adopting a hybrid model combining face-to-face and remote work. This model allows for greater flexibility and better adapts to the needs of employees, while maintaining team cohesion.
The future of teleworking: towards a new era?
Post-crisis challenges
After the impact of the health crisis, the question arises: will teleworking continue? Companies that have seen its benefits do not seem ready to turn back. Flexibility is now an essential criterion for attracting talent.
Benefits for society and the environment
Teleworking also has a positive societal impact, in particular by reducing commuting and therefore carbon emissions. It helps improve the quality of life of employees while helping to preserve the environment.
A model to reinvent
The story of remote work is one of technological innovation, cultural change, and crisis response. As more companies embrace this model, we are witnessing the transformation of the world of work. 🌍
Whether you are already working remotely or are considering doing so, this method offers new perspectives for both employees and employers.
