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An estimated 45 million Americans choose to telecommute at least one day a week, but many managers and planners are hoping to increase this number in the coming years. Though there is still some resistance, the overwhelming advantages of encouraging employees to regularly work from home are becoming too compelling to ignore.
According to the American Electronics Association, as much as 1.35 billion gallons of gas could be saved annually if every U.S. worker who was able worked from home 1.6 days a week. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that this would account for a 26 billion pound reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Beyond these environmental savings, many managers find that employees who frequently telecommute are more productive than those who solely work from the office.
The estimated and demonstrated advantages of telecommuting have led to a new government policy regarding working from home. In September of 2007, Lurita Doan announced a GSA telework challenge, stating that 50 percent of eligible employees will be working from home one or more days per week by 2010. This initiative was based on the savings it could represent for natural resources and the increased security of a distributed workforce.
Check out the Planet Green Guide to Working from Home
Get advice in Planet Green's Working From Home Archives or get started with these articles on getting the green light to work from home, how to set up a home office, and even finding a new telecommute-friendly job.
How to Convince Your Boss You Can (and Should) Work From Home
Set Up a Home Office, a Comprehensive Guide
How to Go Green: Work from Home
How to Find a Telecommuting Job
Propose Teleconferencing to Your Company—Save Money and Energy
Be Green: Work at Home
Is Telecommuting Really Greener?
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