Yahoo surprises with work and home news - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8

Yahoo surprises with work and home news

Posted: Updated:

Workers and tech watchers were buzzing Wednesday on reports that Yahoo will no longer allow employees to work from home, starting this summer.  "It's certainly not what you would expect," said Alan Balfour, associate professor of management at the University of South Florida in Tampa. "It's in the opposite direction of the emerging basic human resources of most large companies."

Balfour said Yahoo, with its own struggles, likely won't become a trendsetter on this issue. He also questions the real reason behind the move and whether there are business reasons outside of a desire to have workers work together.  "To withdraw it on the grounds that ‘my goodness, we need to work hand in hand and close by,' sounds a little fishy to me," Balfour said.

The system works for some companies – including Tampa-based TekMethods, an information technology asset management company.  "I don't think any one geography would have had a sufficient talent pool," said TekMethods founder and chief executive officer Lori Sechio. "So a virtual office model was really the only way to go if I was going to attract the best and brightest. And it's worked out very, very well."

Sechio and her 24 employees all work from home, allowing her to hire from across the country and allowing workers to balance work and personal life with travel to meet with clients.  "They've all said the same things, ‘Oh, sometimes I'll throw a load of wash in the washing machine, I'll wait for the cable guy.' So what!" she said. "They're doing a great job for the company and for the clients that we serve – that's what's really important."  Sechio, who sits on a statewide information technology task force, says she thinks the "virtual office" model could actually help business grow in Florida by attracting new talent.

  • 8 On Your Side

  • Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
    The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
    The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
    The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
    The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
  • Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
    As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
    As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Monday, May 20 2013 2:45 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:45:28 GMT
    Photo courtesy FWC Facebook
    A Miami man has caught and killed the longest Burmese python ever captured in Florida at a record 18 feet, 8 inches.
    A Miami man has caught and killed the longest Burmese python ever captured in Florida at a record 18 feet, 8 inches.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 9:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:43:52 GMT
    This man is believed to have jumped on manatees in Brevard County
    Two men are seen harassing manatee in a Facebook video.
    Two men are seen harassing manatee in a Facebook video.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 4:22 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:22:51 GMT
    A 2 dollar toll turns into hundreds of dollars in fines and a suspended license…. Sound familiar? It happened before… Why does this keep happening? 8 On Your Side Investigates…Tuesday night @ 6 on
    A 2 dollar toll turns into hundreds of dollars in fines and a suspended license…. Sound familiar? It happened before… Why does this keep happening? 8 On Your Side Investigates…Tuesday night @ 6 on
Powered by WorldNow

200 South Parker Street, Tampa, FL 33606

Telephone: 813.228.8888
Fax: 813.225.2770
Email: news@wfla.com

Can’t find something?
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General Company.