As a follow up to my recent post on Technology As A Hedge, here is a report from CNBC that looks at the increase in employer supported telecommuting.
Companies and their employees are searching for new ways to deal with soaring gasoline prices that have risen to heights unimaginable only a few months ago. Telecommuting, in which employees take advantage of growing technological opportunities to work from home, is regaining popularity now that gas costs more than $4 a gallon.
At firms that already had telecommuting, the practice has taken on new importance with gas prices.
"We offer telecommuting as part of a much broader flexibility strategy. It is widely used across the firm by individuals at all levels, including many senior executives," says Taylor, general counsel at BDO Seidman, an accounting and consulting firm based in Chicago, though Taylor works out of the Manhattan office.
"Given the nature of our business and the nature of technology, we have found we've been extremely successful," she adds.
Telecommuting has established itself as a major business trend as large Wall Street companies, government offices and several colleges across the country are encouraging employees to stay at home when possible to do their work. Technological tools like e-mail, instant messenger services and videoconferencing hardware help make the process easier.
The benefits to workers are obvious--less stress during travel and substantial savings from gas costs, plus more time to spend at home.
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