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Why Consider Telecommuting?
The Business Case for Telecommuting
Telecommuting is no longer a work arrangement that can only be used by large companies or one that only concerns certain managers and employees. It is a work alternative that provides flexibility and good results in meeting company goals as well as employee, customer and supplier needs. As a result, senior executives and managers are integrating telecommuting as a strategic tool and making good use of telecommuting benefits.
For some employers, budgetary savings is a primary reason for initiating a telecommuting program. For others, employee morale may be a top concern and incentive.
As the economy becomes more information based, telecommuting continues to grow because work has become more portable. Individuals working in a variety of areas don't need to be located at a central work base at all times. Also, real estate costs are rising and personal offices are shrinking. Computers and other communications technologies are increasing employee effectiveness and make telecommuting easy and affordable. Remote technology has become more secure, available and reliable. As long as telecommuters can communicate easily with their co-workers, managers, customers and suppliers, they can often work anywhere.
The most common objectives that companies mention for introducing a telecommuting program include:
- Attract new employees
- Retain key and quality employees
- Provide better service to customers, business partners and suppliers
- Increase productivity and efficiency
- Supply an alternative to overtime on company premises
- Provide a solution for peak periods and inconvenient working hours
- Ensure continuity of operations in emergency situations and major disasters
- Reduce office space
- Reduce operating costs
- Establish a flexible, virtual networked company
- Fulfill environmental responsibilities by decreasing the number of employees who may be commuting alone by car
Identifying Telecommuting Benefits
While many private and public employers initially created telecommuting programs to address environmental mandates or enhance employee work/life balance, employers currently recognize many other benefits of allowing and enabling employees to telecommute.
Telecommuting has the potential to provide significant benefits for employers, employees and the community.
Telecommuting will help your company's:
Productivity
- More Work Accomplished
- Greater Focus
- Less Distractions
- Job Satisfaction
- Improved Morale
- Greater Commitment/Loyalty
- Greater Efficiency
- Commute Time Savings
- Less Stress
- Flexible Work Schedule
- Reduce Hiring and Replacement Costs
- Relocation Costs
- Hiring Expenses
- Training Time and Expense
- Reduce Unscheduled Absences
- Less Down Time
- Reduced Costs Associated With Unscheduled Absences
- Real Estate Savings
- Reduce Office Space
- Increase Parking Efficiency
- Share Work Space
- Reduce Operating Expenses
- Control Expansion Expenses
- Less Down Time
- Ability to Work on Snow Days
- Ability to Work During Sick Leave
- Ability to Work Remotely
- Ability to Return to Work For Injured Employees
- Retention and Attraction
- Retention of Key Employees
- Retention of Employees Relocating
- Attraction of Employees Seeking Flexible Arrangement
- Wider Labor Pool
- Access to Workers in Larger Geographic Area
- Attract and Retain Qualified Persons with Physical Disabilities
- Less Absenteeism
- Ability to Work without Infecting Others
- Ability to Work Outside of Traditional Office Hours
- Reduce commute time, costs and stress
- Increase job satisfaction
- Increase productivity
- Balance work and home life more effectively
- Maintain better health
- Value, and remain with, the company
- Decrease traffic congestion
- Conserve resources through reduced gasoline consumption
- Reduce air pollution
- Offer more employment opportunities for untapped labor force
(e.g., disabled, part-time, retired, work-time availability)
Setting Up a Telecommuting Program
It is important to note that benefits accrue from carefully planned and successfully managed telecommuting programs. Initiating a telecommuting program depends on many factors, including your company's size, business and service offerings, strategic goals, management and culture. To establish a telecommuting program, it is essential to develop a detailed plan that shows implementation phases, costs, process steps, resources required and expected results.
Telecommute Connecticut Can Help
If you have a question or need additional assistance in determining the feasibility of a telecommuting program in your company, contact us at tct@telecommutect.com.
