WASHINGTON – In a well-connected world, more and more people are skipping the office commute and opting to plug-in at home.
It is estimated that between 16 and 30 million Americans telecommute – at least some of the time.
According to Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger Personal Finance, telecommuting is a situation that can benefit both the employee and the employer.
“You obviously have far fewer interruptions than you would at the office,” explains Bodnar. “As a result, your boss gets more work out of you.”
Working from home can also mean lower costs for employers and employees. With fewer people reporting to a physical office, employers require less space. Additionally, employees can bank thousands of dollars by telecommuting.
“You can save between $2,000 and $7,000 annually in transportation and other work- related costs,” says Bodnar.
However, telecommuting is not for everyone. Bodnar explains that working from home is best-suited for those who are proactive, self-starting and self-disciplined.
“You have to have really good time management skills,” she says.
When an employee discusses the option of telecommuting with a supervisor or boss, they should have a strategy mapped out to show how the transition will improve efficiency while lowering expenses.
“It can be a win-win situation,” says Bodnar.
WTOP’s Paula Wolfson contributed to this report. Follow @PWolfsonWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
