Employees aren’t the only ones who benefit by working from home. Companies also benefit when they have employees who work off-site, in terms of increased productivity, limited absences and money saved.
Telecommuting is probably most common in the tech industry where companies have the infrastructure to support employees who work remotely. These companies often have a shortage of talent for a number of tech jobs so offering a telecommuting option attracts a larger pool of candidates. Since the work is done online, the location of employees isn’t as important, as long as they have an internet connection. Employers who allow their workforce to telecommute can hire the best of the best without being constrained by geography. In addition, having a remote workforce allows companies to hire people from around the world who can then work with customers in different time zones.
Companies have also found no difference in work performance between employees who work in the office and those who work from home. If anything, they have found their telecommuting employees’ productivity is higher because they are able to avoid distractions. A study conducted by the University of Illinois found that telecommuters performed just as well as their in-office counterparts. Remote workers may even be more productive in order to justify, and keep, their flexible work arrangements.
