Telecommuting and the Contestability of Choice

Abstract

This study examined the legitimization of work location choices at a government agency in the early stages of implementing a voluntary telecommuting program. Legitimization is a complex socially constructed practice and process within a given organizational culture. Three broad legitimacy lenses (pragmatic, moral, and cognitive legitimacy) provided the framework for analyzing interviewed members’ discourse and described organizational messages. The analysis revealed a textured account of workplace justification that exposed significant challenges facing organizations attempting to implement new forms of work. The results show that although organizational messages focusing on employee wellbeing were largely supported and served to pragmatically legitimize employee choices, perceived degree of communicative interaction with stakeholders such as colleagues, clients, and family members served as claims that supported and contested various forms of legitimacy.