 An estimated 1.35 billion gallons of gasoline could be conserved annually if every U.S. worker could telecommute 1.6 days per week. 45 million Americans already telecommute at least one day a week. These are some of the reasons why telecommuting is becoming a more common practice.
For employees, there is a lot to gain. Clearly, the most significant benefit is the money you will save by not buying gas. The reduced wear and tear on your car can also save on vehicle maintenance. Contact your insurance agent about your options. Some policies have a break on the premiums if your annual mileage is low. It’s financial incentive for doing something great for the environment.
For those who have faced the dilemma of balancing the need for a paycheck against caring for young children or a family member with special needs, telecommuting could be the solution. Telecommuting can also open up many jobs for you if you are disabled or require special accommodations, by allowing you to work at home where comfortable and efficient work areas are already in place. Dozens of surveys show that one of the most significant factors in an employee’ job satisfaction ratings are based on the degree of autonomy that employees have in their work life. A telecommuting arrangement indicates that your employer has a high regard for your work ethic and your performance. At the same time, it allows you the freedom and flexibility to schedule your work around family needs and commitments. Not everyone works at their peak performance between 9 am and 5 pm. If you can organize yourself well, telecommuting can likely result in greater productivity and a growing sense of pride in your job. In addition, telecommuters can work around peak energy hours, especially during extreme weather conditions when heating or cooling needs soar.
In addition to benefiting the environment and employees, telecommuting has advantages for employers. The Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov calculates that conserving 1.35 billion gallons of gas a year through increased telecommuting would prevent 26 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment. A University of Maryland survey says that nearly half of all commuters travel more than 20 miles round-trip to and from work; 22 percent travel more than 40 miles; and 10 percent travel more than 60 miles.
Ask your employer if telecommuting is a possibility. You could be saving yourself, your employer, and the environment precious resources.
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