What Is Telecommuting?
Also called teleworking, this work style is
one that allows employees to work at home by linking their home
office to their employer’s office via telephone
lines attached to a computer modem, fax machine,
and telephone. According to a study by Find/SVP,
a market research company, there were 4-million
telecommuters in 1990, and over 14 million
telecommuters today. If you would like to be one
of them, we’ve got the
information
and resources
to help you make that happen.
Who Is
Telecommuting...And What Do They Think?
Two major surveys were conducted for
Telecommute America Week. The results show that
those already telecommuting are extremely happy
with their jobs. Telecommute America, a
public-private effort launched in 1995 to
promote awareness and understanding of
telecommuting and telework arrangements, asked
telecommuters what it would take for them to
give up their jobs. There were two responses:
"double my pay" and “nothing would make me give
it up.” A full two-thirds of the respondents
would not change the way they work at home.
These telecommuters see themselves as organized
professionals, independent-minded who
productively use the time they save commuting by
spending more time with their family.
In contrast with their office counterparts,
one-third of telecommuters work barefoot. Only
15% always wear shoes while they work. 53% were
women, and 56% were between the ages of 35 and
49. Most of been telecommuting for 7 years. 60%
reported that they didn’t feel any more isolated
working at home.
How To Convince Your
Employer To Let You Telecommute
One in four Fortune 1,000 companies now have
employees who telecommute. Because it is an
employees market, employers are using
telecommuting as a benefit to attract employees.
According to a survey by KMPG Peat Marwick,
large companies are more likely to have
telecommuters. 53% of these companies found
increased productivity and job satisfaction
among employees. They also enjoy lower real
estate costs and a employee turnover rate that
is reduced by 30%.
Before you can make a case for telecommuting,
you must anticipate your employer's reaction.
You also must think of the potential benefits
for your employer. Then, it is time to prepare a
written telecommuting proposal. Do not emphasize
how telecommuting will help you. Write this
proposal from the employer's point of view.
Consider the following points when preparing
your proposal:
