October 12, 2010 by MSI
Over the
past eight years, telecommuting (individuals who partially or regularly work
from home) and teleworking (individuals who work 100 percent from home) have
grown exponentially. According to a survey released by
World at Work,
approximately 17.2 million Americans telecommuted in 2008, up 39 percent from
2006 and up over 70 percent from 2005. Unlike the 1980s and 1990s, technology
advances in the 2000s with the advent of high-speed connectivity and the
prevalent use of hand held devices have afforded millions of Americans the
opportunity to stay connected and work from a remote location.
While more
and more people are doing it, we have to ask the question – is it beneficial? After
all, working from home isn’t for everyone – based on the job function or the
individual’s nature - but for some, it’s a great option and one that benefits
both the company and the employee. In a survey conducted by the Computing
Technology Industry Association, corporate managers confirmed that they
realized greater productivity, lower operating costs, expanded recruiting
options, and improved employee health with telecommuting options in their
company. And employees appreciate their realized financial savings from a
reduction in gasoline used to dry cleaning as well as their ability to
contribute more (less interruptions at home) in less time and achieve a greater
work-life balance.
While it’s
not for everyone, it seems as though telecommuting will continue its growth in
acceptance and practice in the U.S. In the same World at Work survey, 50
percent of employees advised that they would be interested in performing some
of their tasks from home. And, as an additional benefit for the organization, of
that same group, 35 percent advised that they would even consider taking less
salary to do so.
Although
some managers and business owners are reluctant to provide telecommuting
options for their employees, it’s becoming a more standard business practice.
The management and deployment is key, but if done correctly it can save your
company money and allow you to have happier and more productive employees.
Do you
have a specific opinion or experience about telecommuting, either as it relates
to your company or yourself? Please share.
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