Telecommuting

Telecommuting, at least part of the work week, is a fast growing trend that researchers with Forrester Research, Inc. in their US Telecommuting Forecast, 2009 to 2016 study, project will grow from 34 million US adults, telecommuting "at least occasionally", to 63 million by 2016. They suggest that this trend will "force firms to expand their digital footprints, harness new social software, crisply define their culture, and examine their real estate and energy policies."

Benefits to Employers

When considering ways to reduce costs, and increase worker productivity, an employer should explore their options when it comes to telecommuting. In a 1999 Telework America National Telework Survey for the International Telework Association and Council, researchers discovered that employers could save up to $10,000.00 per teleworker per year, from decreased costs of employee absenteeism and retention. The study found that absenteeism is largely due to meeting family and personal needs. For those employers willing to provide a remote working strategy for their employees, the benefits, as you can see, are real and tangible.

Keeping Track

There are many software programs that make the process more accessible than ever before. These programs allow an employee to work off-site as easily as if they were in the office. For employees, keeping in touch with your co-workers is made effortless by instant messaging systems. Tracking systems that calculate keystrokes and activity, not only assure the employer that the work is being done, but they make record keeping easier for both employer and employee by tracking hours worked.

One popular system, GoToMeeting allows your boss and your co-workers to see what you are talking about. This makes it much easier to collaborate...it is as if they are standing right next to you.

Benefits to Employees

The 1999 Telework America National Telework Survey for the International Telework Association and Council "confirms that telework enables employees to better manage their work and personal lives." They are near their kids' schools, doctors, and other businesses that they frequent, which means less time is needed to be away from work. This study reveals that the productivity of the telecommuters is "the same or higher when working at home, and that being able to work at home is an employment incentive."

Trends in employment have changed throughout the years. The United States used to be an industrial nation, with factories dotting the landscape for miles, however the trend is moving away from that particular business model, and towards a more technologically based one.

Those businesses who are progressive enough to see the future and take advantage of the trend towards telecommuting, will be a step ahead of their competition that doesn't.

Sources

US Telecommuting Forecast, 2009 to 2016 study,
Telecommuting Will Rise To Include 43% Of US Workers By 2016

by Ted Schadler
With Matthew Brown, Sara Burnes

1999 Telework America National Telework Survey for the International Telework Association and Council
Cost/Benefits of Teleworking

by Joanne H. Pratt