Telecommuting/telework has made sense for decades now. Nobody likes to traipse to the office, most would prefer to avoid that if possible.

However there are a number of issues that have prevented its uptake, on all sides:

For the individual there is a question of space and a desire to separate work and home - together with a desire for social connection to work and colleagues. That plays through to promotion prospects.

For the company there has been the throwback attitude that says people need supervision and the idea from managers that they have to support their position by keeping their 'empire' close.

From the government there is the stereotypical model of work that has guided their actions, making it difficult to work from home and preventing 'dual use' from showing the financial benefits it should.

As we move forward I expect a swift and seismic shift in attitudes as individuals get fed up of expensive time-consuming commutes and companies can no longer bear white elephant office blocks. However it will take a technology change, and a government that gives good tax breaks to initiate the change.

At a stroke it will give us 5-10 extra years before peak oil forces hard decisions. A worthwhile win.