Communications technology is making the notion of working from home or other remote locations commonplace in today’s business world.
If your business and its employees are missing out on the convenience of telecommuting, then it’s time to give the “work from anywhere” approach a shot.
To give you a better idea of how the telecommunications atmosphere works, here are just a few advantages of going the telecommuting route with your business:
Keeping up with the Trend
Businesses all across the country are adopting a telecommuting mindset and the trend is continuing to grow.
In fact, according to the Telework Research Network, nearly 30 million Americans from all walks of life telecommute on a regular basis.
In addition, the number of telecommuters in the U.S. is expected to increase by more than 50% in the five years.
If your business is looking for a convenient, effective work alternative to the 9 to 5, then telecommuting has a number of built-in benefits for both your company and its employees.
Cost Effectiveness
Sure, telecommuting saves your employees money in terms of lunches, office attire, and daily commuting costs, but it also saves your business money.
Not only are telecommunication systems affordable, but telecommuting employees also reduces your business’s overhead costs.
Telecommuting employees free up more space in your office, which means you’ll save money on leased square footage.
As the following article shows, in terms of “How business phone systems can make telecommuting workÂ, your business can also route calls directly to your employees’ home offices. This means each telecommuter will save you money on office energy costs and your clients won’t even know they’re dealing with someone outside of the office.
Improved Productivity
Ask anyone who works 9 to 5 and they’ll likely tell you the same: schedule flexibility leads to improved productivity.
Although it may not seem like it, working from the office comes with plenty of distractions, such as disruptive employees or an environment that’s not always conducive to continuous work.
But, telecommuting provides your employees the quiet comfort of working from their own home, which oftentimes improves productivity.
With the right home environment, telecommuters can work continuously and without interruption, which means tasks, projects, and daily assignments will be completed much faster.
Increased Availability
The schedule flexibility and improved productivity that telecommuting provides leads to an increase in availability.
Telecommuting employees are able to get work done faster and more efficiently, which means they’ll have the opportunity to increase their workload. Likewise, by working from home, your employees will have the opportunity to take on assignments at any time without any 9 to 5 constraints.
Setting up the Ground Rules
As with implementing any new protocol into your business, you will need to set up some telecommuting ground rules for your employees. These might include requiring your employees to have an adequate, dependable workspace in their home.
Additionally, you may have to require your telecommuting employees to check in with you or their supervisor at least once a day. This will cover any accountability issues that may arise with employees who might take advantage of their newfound freedom.
When it comes to workplace efficiency, it’s plain to see that telecommuting can improve your business and the lives of your employees.
Photo credit: Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including employee health and workplace productivity.
