Telecommuting: help your Business, help the Environment

Sustainable businesses looking to cut cost and also integrate sustainability concepts in business operations are looking to telecommuting to do the trick. Telecommuting is working from a remote location (generally ones home workstation) using computers and telephones rather than commuting via automobile or other mode of transportation to and from an employer's work site to perform equivalent work.

In my professional consulting with small businesses, I have shared many environmental benefits to telecommuting:
•    Conserving Energy
•    Preserving the Environment
•    Improving Worker and Public Safety
•    Reduced commuter traffic which also reduces toxic gases and dust particles spewed into our atmosphere as well as chemicals washed into our waterways, wells, and rivers

Did you know that if 10% of the nation's workforce telecommuted one day a week, we would avoid the frustration of driving 24.4 million miles, we'd breathe air with 12,963 tons less air pollution, and we'd conserve more than 1.2 million gallons of fuel each week?

Aside from the environmental benefit, as a small business resource, telecommuting offers:
•    Attraction and retention of highly qualified staff
•    Reduced sick leave and absenteeism
•    Greater flexibility for disabled or impaired workers
•    Decreased demand for, and cost of, work space or equipment at the office
•    Uninterrupted public or customer service: Telecommuters can continue to provide vital services or work on projects during inclement weather and even during natural disasters
•    Reduced employee and family stress due to less commuting -- Telecommuters can reduce commute time to accommodate family needs

In our sustainability consulting we have recommend resources to help businesses get started in their telecommuting programs.

Telework Coalition: A network of telecommuters, employers and government entities that support telecommuters through education, certification, and networking opportunities.

Commuter Choice: A nationwide partnership designed to help employers create customized solutions to their employee’s commuting challenges.

Telework Advisory Group of WorldatWork: WorldatWork is an association of human resource professionals from FORTUNE 500 and other leading organizations worldwide focused on attracting, motivating and retaining employees.

One final note, before beginning a telecommuting program, leaders must “market” it to supervisors and staff. Supervisors need to understand the potential productivity, morale and sustainable business gains, while workers need assurance that managers are supportive of their e-commuting.