TELECOMMUTING

Even the word is fairly new!  A very few years ago there was no such “animal” as telecommuting and today it’s considered by progressives companies as “kosher”.   Companies such as AT&T, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Southwest Airlines, The Home Shopping Network, Amazon and even Home Depot allow selected employees to “mail it in”.  The interesting  thing; efficiency and productivity are not lessened and in most cases improve.   Let’s now look at several very interesting facts regarding this trend in conducting business.

• One in five individuals around the globe telecommute on a regular, daily basis.
• One in ten telecommute from their homes.
• Fifty million (50 million) people in the United States could work in a remote fashion if allowed by their companies.
• In 2009, 102,000 Federal employees telecommuted on a full-time basis.  (I am told that number is significantly greater now since more and more employees are Federal.)
• It is estimated as much as $20,000 per employee could be saved by their companies if allowed to telecommute.

 OK, what are the individual and company benefits resulting from this activity.  These might be as follows:

• Significant reduction in energy usage by company.
•  Reduction in individual carbon footprint. (It has been estimated that 9,500 pounds of CO 2 per year per person could be avoided if the employee works from home.  Most of this is avoidance of cranking up the “tin lezzy”. )
• Reduction in office expenses in the form of space, desk, chair, tables, lighting, telephone equipment, computer connections,  etc.
• Reduction in the number of sick days taken due to illnesses from communicable diseases.
• Fewer “in-office” distractions allowing for greater focus on work.  These might include: 1.) Monday morning congregation at the water cooler to discuss the game on Saturday, 2.) Birthday parties, 3.) Mary Kay meetings, etc etc.  You get the picture!

In the state where I live (Tennessee), the number of telecommuters has risen 18 percent relative to 2011.  489,000 adults across Tennessee work from home on a regular basis.  Most of these employees do NOT work for themselves in family-owned businesses but for large companies that allow the activity.  Also, many of these employees work for out-of-state concerns thus creating ideal situations for both worker and employer.   At Blue Cross of Tennessee, one in six individuals go to work by staying at home.   Working at home definitely does not always mean there is no personal communication with supervisors and peers.    These meetings are factored into each work week, some required at least on a monthly basis.

 It has been estimated that by 2016, 63 million employees in our country will telecommute.   Of course, this marvelous transition has only been made possible by internet connections and in most cases, the computer technology at home equals or surpasses that found at “work”.   We all know this trend will continue as well it should.    I would say, if you are an employer, take a look and consider the possibilities.  Discuss these possibilities with those you feel could best fullfill your expectations relative to working at home.  If you have the type of organization that lends itself to this activity, give your self-starters the option.  One, two possibly three days per week for a trial period.  Monitor how much they accomplish and discuss those accomplishments with them while being “painfully honest”.  In my opinion, this would be a great manner in which to bring about cost savings and benefits to your company.  Just a thought.