Home Employment To Companies - Benefits Of The New Trend

About 25 percent of most Blue Chip company workers worldwide telecommute from home offices, saving $700 million in real estate costs, says IBM Lotus, marketing manager.

Companies reap additional benefits in higher worker productivity and a happy work force. These companies have expanded their virtual workplace program, launched in 1995, because of the immense success so far achieved. During the past decade, hundreds of giant corporations and small businesses have launched formal employment at home programs.

In Texas, big companies such as Mobil, Frito Lay, Texas Instruments, Xerox, AT&T, J.C. Penney and hundreds of small businesses allow workers to work from home.

For some companies, employment at home is just the way they do business. Pharmaceutical companies such as Abbott Laboratories have used home workers for years. Sales representatives start their morning in their home office, then spend their day making sales calls to doctors' offices.

Government agencies such as the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Department of Transportation and Texas comptroller's office also have formal employment at home programs.The state encourages employment at home to reduce pollution and time wasted in traffic.

Two out of every three cars on the road in America each day hit congestion, according to Transportation Institute study released in June. That costs American commuters $67 billion in lost time, wasted fuel and vehicle wear and tear, the study said.

"Employment at home is definitely on the rise," said Tim Kane, president of the International Telework Association and Council, or ITAC, based in Washington. Nationwide ITAC estimates 28 million people telecommute one to three days a week -- up 42 percent from 19.6 million in 1999. By 2005, about one-third, or 50 million, of the nation's workers will be part- or full-time the home employment, Kane said.

Rather than try to fight employment at home, companies need to embrace it, Kane said. Contrary to popular myths, telecommuters do not spend more time snacking than regular workers. Nor do they watch soap operas or take care of their kids all day.

In fact, most telecommuters are men with graduate degrees and incomes over $40,000 per year working in professional and managerial occupations, according to Telework America. The study shows many telecommuters live on the East and West coasts and in metropolitan areas with lots of people and traffic congestion.

There is a growing need and demand for work and life balance in the country, Some people are spending hours stuck in traffic commuting each day, and employment at home would help these people become more productive.

Using the Internet, a phone, fax machine and a computer, home workers can communicate with colleagues and clients all over the country.

Employment at home has some real advantages for companies too. It aids in recruiting and retaining workers. Some studies indicate that home based employees work longer hours and more workdays than the average employee because they spend less time commuting.

In the past, companies reluctantly allowed home employment for their workers, due to convenience and hoped it wouldn't cost too much. Now, many employers encourage employment at home because they see it as a way to get more work out of people who are already productive. Employment at home greatly assist employers maintain sufficient numbers of essential manpower hence avoid paying extra for non-essential workforce.

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