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Can Telecommuting
Save Your Money?

Your bottom line can get a lift if you can put telecommuting into your business. Millions of Americans do telecommute, although it's not something most businesses encourage. Still, small business can be cutting edge, particularly when we've got profits to make at stake. Businesses that do allow telework find that it usually provides them more benefits than problems. The benefits include:

*Allowing flexible work hours is a benefit that the best workers want and often they work during the time that they'd otherwise be in traffic.

*Productivity increases of up to 1/3 occur because workers who don't have to commute have more energy.

*You can save money on buying or leasing real estate if you need less office space available on a daily basis.

More than 15 million Americans do telecommute on occasion, and it is estimated that 40% have jobs where they could telecommute at least part of the time. In addition, the Federal Government may soon be boosting your profits. (Yeah, I know. "We're from the Government and we’re here to "help!") The National Telecommuting and Air Quality Act has been introduced into Congress to provide companies in areas with air challenges related to driving emissions to receive incentives if their employees can work from home. Companies would be given pollution credits, similar to the ones that are currently exchanged to reduce acid rain emissions.

Bottom Line? Planning telecommuting as an option for your employees could more than lift their morale. It could plump your profits!