Maybe some are not getting it
The author does not appear to understand the reasoning behind this decision, as his reference to this as a "feel-good workplace policy" and several other statements attest. I think many innovative ways of thinking and ideas are not coming to light based on the isolation of working from home and literally "phoning it in" (yes, in addition to the implication of that phrase, as well).
If a company has a policy allowing telecommuting for purely economic reasons (no commute, lower overhead, etc.), then they are probably not getting the big picture regarding how many decisions are made and information is truly exchanged in a highly communicative organization. I have lost count of the number of ideas and projects that have been proposed or generated as a result of my discussions with upper management either immediately before or after meetings, or even through chance meetings in my office of approximately 110 people, including the 3 family members that are owners of my company.
I do believe that telecommuting may be appropriate for some and a total ban may be a bit over the top. However, doing it because everyone else is doing it and have been for a while and it saves money and the technology exist to do so and the US government is doing it does not necessarily make it right or the best business decision. Yes, you may save relocation costs and "real-estate costs" (whatever those may be), but perhaps you are losing more in the lost innovation and creativity that does come from face-to-face discussions and exchanges of ideas.
And who knows, maybe our floundering housing market may benefit from people actually buying and selling houses in order to have to go to an office to work. Said a bit tongue-in-cheek, but you never know.
