Are you fed up with your commute? There are many benefits to telecommuting, not just for employees, but for employers as well. Here are 4 ways telecommuting is a win/win.
In today's era technology has allowed us to dissolve barriers such as space and time. This means workers need not waste time commuting daily to sit in a cubicle for 40 hours. Instead they can form part of a virtual office where they do their jobs remotely. There are many benefits of working in a virtual office both for bosses and employees.
1. It’s good for the environment
When millions of workers drive from their home to their job, and then from their job to their home every day, this creates vast amounts of pollution that are inimical to our environment. According to a study by Consumer Electronics Association that focused on the USA, telecommuting is truly eco-friendly. It is proven to lower energy use and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The CEA asserts that telecommuting decreased the use of energy in the USA by the amount that it takes to power 750,000 households in one year. Working in a virtual office greatly reduces a company's carbon footprint and energy bill.
2. It’s profitable
Virtual offices are cost-effective both for employees as well as for employers. Virtual office employees economize on commuting costs, and other miscellaneous items such as not having to purchase a daily lunch. However it is the employers that save the big bucks. Employers that own virtual offices profit from many reduced overhead costs. These may range from reduced costs of all kinds: mortgage or lease payments; utilities; office materials; coffee, tea, water and other food and beverage supplies; janitorial and security services; office equipment and furniture; as well as transit subsidies. According to recent figures, a business would save $11,000 per person per year if they ensured that their employees worked from home just half the time.
3. It improves efficiency
Many people assume that employees in a virtual office will be less productive once bosses are not around to oversee their work. This is a huge misconception. A Stanford study demonstrated that call center employees allowed to work from home displayed a 13% performance increase. When broken down 9% of this was allotted to employees working more minutes per shift as they took fewer breaks and less sick days. Whilst 4% of the figure derived from the benefits of working in a quieter and more convenient working environment. It seems that with less distractions employees are able to concentrate on their work better.
4. It reduces turnover
Some of the top reasons that businesses lose employees can be avoided if they work in a virtual office. For example, workers who have long commutes are more likely to call in sick and also more likely to seek another position. A Penn State study proved that employees who are given the option to telecommute are much happier (73%) than traditional office workers (64%). Increased turnover can incur huge costs to companies. If employees are happier, their work will be better and there will be less costs due to turnover.
