Employers, as much as employees, can benefit from having a remote workforce. For some companies, especially small businesses or start-ups, every hour of the day is important. More time focused on the work, and not spent on the commute, allows these companies to use precious resources on building their products and businesses.
Companies who offer a telecommuting option are likely to find a more satisfied workforce and an increase in employee retention. A Stanford University study found that telecommuting employees were more productive, worked longer hours, took less breaks, and used less sick time than their in-office counterparts. The study also found these employees were happier and less likely to quit compared to employees who went into the office regularly.
Whether or not a company offers a work-from-home policy and how successful it is, really depends on the type of work done and each employee’s work style. More and more companies are catching on to the trend and are offering the flexibility to work from home, if not every day, than at least when needed.