March 15, 2013—Despite the view of some managers that unsupervised telecommuting is a luxury that can lead to a poor work ethic and decreased productivity, the second annual telecommuting survey issued by Staples Advantage found that telecommuting programs make for happier employers and employees, reducing absenteeism and stress. Nearly all (93%) surveyed employees agree that telecommuting programs are mutually beneficial, and more than half (53%) of business decision makers state telecommuting leads to more productive employees.
According to the survey:
- A majority (75%) of business decision makers notice happier employees.
- Over a third (37%) report less absenteeism.
- Almost half (48%) of remote workers say they are less stressed, compared to a 25% drop in stress when working from home as reported in last year’s survey.
By 2016, the number of regular telecommuters in the United States is expected to reach 4.9 million, which represents a 69% increase from the current level, according to a June 2011 report, The State of Telework in the U.S., from TeleworkResearchNetwork.com. As telecommuting continues to rise, it is important for companies to think strategically about all aspects of their telecommuting programs to ensure cost savings and productivity, as well as work/life balance, says Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of global office products giant Staples.
While the findings clearly show that telecommuting programs benefit all parties involved, the survey pointed out areas for improvement for companies seeking to maintain high satisfaction and productivity rates with a growing at-home workforce. Most important, the survey shows that businesses should evaluate their technology and furniture offerings to improve telecommuting programs, says Staples Advantage.
When it comes to support for at-home workers, the survey highlights specific areas of concern:
- Over half (59%) of telecommuters do not use their company’s data backup system, putting critical and sensitive information at risk.
- One-third (33%) of employees say dealing with information technology (IT) issues is one of the most difficult aspects of working from home.
- Some 17% of business decision makers offer furniture, but only 50% of those respondents offer furniture installation services that can save workers time and improve productivity.
- Almost half (48%) of telecommuters use furniture or technology that is not ergonomically adjusted for them, which can lead to discomfort, loss of productivity or injury.
According to Stapes Advantage, simple enhancements in these areas, such as implementing data backup and improving connectivity for information technology, as well as providing cost-effective furniture solutions with easy procurement and set-up options, can ensure consistent products and services for all employees.
