Telecommuting, also referred to as remote working, is essentially working outside of the workplace by using telecommunications tools. This has become more possible, reliable, and effective as technology has advanced over recent years.
With that being said, let us take a more detailed look at telecommuting – what it is, how it works, and how it can benefit your business.
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What is telecommuting for business?
Telecommuting refers to an employee’s ability to carry out and complete work tasks and duties through the use of telecommunications tools like video applications, email, webchat, and unified communications, all whilst working outside of the traditional office space or workplace environment. This is often concerning what we call ‘remote work’ which is completed from home.
It is basically any work that does not involve employees having to commute to a traditional or central place of work such as the office or store, hence why they instead commute via telecommunications. An agreement is made between the employer and an employee to actually allow the employee to work outside of the workplace.
The act of telecommuting is also often referred to as remote working, teleworking, e-commuting, or simply just working from home.
Telecommuting jobs are available in numerous work sectors, including sales, marketing, and customer service, as well as many office occupations and roles in technology – any job that involves a computer, communications, customer service, or any other device which allows them to carry out work outside of the workplace.
How telecommuting works
Instead of commuting to the workplace, telecommuting works by allowing the employee to communicate with their colleagues, employers or clients via telecommunication tools and apps.
Video chat, conference platforms, telephone communications, email online chat applications, and other digital communication software are examples of telecommunication tools that an employee can use to work remotely. If you have WiFi and some sort of computer or laptop, then telecommuting is seamlessly feasible.
In early 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck and left most of us stuck at home, employees were forced to work from home. It was telecommuting that saw most businesses survive the effects of the virus. The major success of the video conferencing service, Zoom, and the way businesses have handled the pandemic itself has proven just how effective and accessible telecommuting can be, with many workers still choosing to work from home in 2022.
How telecommuting can benefit your business
Telecommuting isn’t just convenient for those employees who’d have a long commute, it can provide several benefits for your business too.
First of all, it can save money for both the employer and the employee. Employees will save expenses on commuting and businesses can save money on everything associated with running costs of the workplace. If the company covers the cost of WiFi and other expenses, the employee can also save money there.
Secondly, it provides better flexibility for your business as it allows employees more choice and control over their working hours and where they work. It also allows the employee to better combine work and personal duties, which will increase their job satisfaction and boost their work performance, allowing your business to function more effectively and efficiently.
There are many more benefits to telecommuting that you can discover by introducing it into your business model. With the right technology to hand, you can future-proof and disaster-proof your business for years to come.