| The objective of this study was to measure the attitudes of the newest workforce generation, the Millennials, who number over 80 million in the USA, towards teleworking. The telework option has been noted by researchers as a way to save costs and increase productivity for organizations; allow flexibility, savings, and relieve stress for employees; and be environmentally friendly for society. While research has examined generational attitudes regarding work, there are limited studies on the expectations of this newest workforce, the Millennials (born 1981--1999), and even fewer concerning their attitudes towards teleworking.;This study looked at the Millennials' attitudes toward autonomy, work/life balance perceived computer competence and its relationship with telework preference. Using a survey instrument, Millennials and non-Millennials (GenXers, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists) were scrutinized to determine their preferences and the differences between these groups. A sample of 263 university students, faculty and staff represented 195 Millennials and 68 non-Millennials. This quantitative study used regression analysis to determine the relationship between the importance of autonomy, work/life balance and perceived computer competence (independent variables) and the preference in teleworking (dependent variable) of the Millennials' group (moderating variable). Although no statistically significant predictor was found in these analyses, educational level was shown to have a significant association with the interest in teleworking. Partial support was found for the effect of autonomy and work/life balance toward the preference to telework. An interesting Post-hoc analysis of differences between males and females depicted a significant association of greater interest in males.;The study results are valuable for academics and executives to understand the work preferences of the Millennials, and their desire for autonomy, work/life balance and, particularly in the case of Millennial males, their possible interest in teleworking as a motivational aspect of employment. |
