Benefits of Telecommuting for Employers

Benefits of Telecommuting for EmployersBenefits of Telecommuting for EmployersSo you want to convince your boss to let you telecommute and youre working on a telecommuting proposal that hones in on how your job could be done from home? To be as effective as possible, your proposal should focus on what telecommuting can do for your employer, not for you. So be sure to include the benefits of telecommuting- both general and specific- for your employer. Here are some of the more general benefits of telecommuting to employers, which you may be able to apply to your specific situation. And you can also come up with benefits to your particular job and employer to make your case even more convincing. Telecommuting Can Save Money on Office Space Call center companies have figured this out and have been actively recruiting people to work from home for years. Whole call center locations have been phased out and real estate and utility costs eliminated. Now, one person opting to work from h ome (particularly if its only a part-time telecommuting arrangement) may not save your company much, but if schreibstube space is tight at your company, this argument could have some sway. Many Available Tools That Aid in Telecommuting Are Free Think Skype, GotoMeeting, and Google Docs to start, but there are so many free apps that are useful in telecommuting. And in addition to the many, many free collaborative tools, a lot of companies have already built the technical infrastructure, such as VPNs (virtual private networks) or SharePoint servers, that are needed to accommodate telecommuters. And while that wasnt free, putting it to use as a telecommuter will not likely add any cost. Telecommuting Is Good for the Environment One less commuter means a lower volume of greenhouse gases going into the environment. While this isnt a point that will affect the bottom line at most companies, firms that market themselves as green or eco-friendly may indeed see the environmental valu e of telecommuting as a persuasive point. Companies that offer commuting-related perks, like free parking or discounts on public transit, will, in fact, see a positive effect on their bottom line when employees work from home. Allowing Telecommuting Can Lower Employee Turnover Telecommuting is a perk that employees wont give up without a lot of consideration. The increased job satisfaction that comes with the independence this arrangement inspires will also help keep employees from leaving, sometimes even when better compensation is available elsewhere. Telecommuters Can Work a More Flexible Schedule This could be your most convincing argument, but you should be careful what you promise on this. The lack of a commute can make workers more likely to be available in early-morning or late-evening hours. However, you dont want to leave yourself open to being on call 24/7.