Telecommuting

Telecommute Institute - The Resource for Employers, Employees, Virtual Teams, and Entrepreneurs, for Telecommuting Information, Tools and Ideas

Today, more than ever, employers, both corporate and small business, are streamlining their operations and evaluating programs to make their business more efficient and cost effective. Many organizations have been outsourcing, or closing satellite offices. But after awhile, there is only so much you can cut, and still stay in business. The growing trend, in these tough economic times is either part-time or full-time telecommuting.

Even in prosperous times, companies have opted to incorporate Flex Hours, Telecommuting, and Contractor Contributions in an effort to hire the best resources, not just the closest.

But it isn't just companies who are researching the benefits of the remote worker; employees are approaching their employers, too. Even talented employees who have been laid off are turning homeward for their career futures, starting their own business, taking freelance work, or consulting.

The questions that everyone seems to be asking are, "Is Telecommuting right for me? Is this more than just a fad? Can this be the answer to this current economic downturn?" Whether the question comes from the VP of HR, or a recently laid off IT professional, the questions keep pouring in.

According to the major surveys for 2008, Telecommuting is not only a growing trend, but a valuable benefit, being offered to employees. In fact, Money Magazine indicated that 5 of the 79 Best Companies that allow employees to telecommute or work at home at least 20% of the time, boast regular telecommuters makeup 23-60% of their work force.

Telecommuting is basically an agreement between an employee and employer to perform a predefined scope of work at a suitable location outside of the traditional office location, and instead of traditional commuting, the employee 'commutes via their computer' and remote network access connected via telephone lines. The terms Telecommute, Telework, Work From Home, and Remote Work, are all synonymous.