Should you Telecommute?

Perhaps you have considered a telecommute position at some point in your career. Telecommuting, itself, usually refers to a situation where you complete work from a remote location using technology such as computers, the phone and the internet to link to your employer. Today, telecommuting is becoming a more commonplace practice among organizations due to these technological advances. That said, some people are not pro-telecommuting as they believe that telecommuters will be not as productive as they would be in a traditional office environment. What exactly are the some of the pros of telecommuting then?

More Satisfied Employees

People who have more control over their work schedules have a better work-life balance than individuals who do not have that control. For instance, people who telecommute can attend family events more readily than individuals who have a more rigid schedule. In turn, the telecommuting group of people are happier with their jobs. This situation benefits an employer as a happy employee is in general a more productive one. Moreover, if current employees are happy in their positions, employers will be more effective in recruiting new employees as well. After all, a flexible work environment where an employer cares about employees is very attractive to job searchers.

Higher Workplace Retention

If workers are happy with their current employer, they will stay with their current employer. In turn, if an employer offers telecommuting as a viable option, the workers will be more likely to continue on with that employer as they appreciate the flexibility that telecommuting can provide. Moreover, employees also feel valued and trusted as they are permitted to complete work related tasks while not under direct supervision of a manager or other higher up.

Significant Cost Savings

Both the employee and the employer can save money through a telecommuting relationship. For instance, employees do not have to commute to a physical office. In turn, these individuals will save money on gas, clothing, wear and tear on a vehicle, and/or public transportation costs. Further, employers can save a substantial amount of money as well as they will not have to pay for office space, electricity, and so on.

Overall then, telecommuting is an interesting work option that has benefits for both employers and employees.

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Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues and other topics for a variety of international websites, magazines, and businesses.