If you can’t afford to bump up workers’ salaries right now, adding or increasing telecommuting options is a great alternative.
But simply offering telecommuting options isn’t enough.
The Flex+Strategy Group recently rolled out some new research on telecommuting, and what they found could help improve your own telework efforts.
3 key insights
Here are three key takeaways:
1. Employers need to rethink their idea of a “typical” telecommuter.
There’s a prevailing stereotype of the typical teleworker: It’s a woman who is working from home to juggle the responsibilities of raising children with the demands of a career. That’s not the case. According to the study:
- 71% of teleworkers are men, and
- there is no significant difference between teleworkers with or without kids, or in the age groups of teleworkers.
2. Telecommuting can help with increased workloads.
Employers have been asking workers to do more with less. In fact, the study found heavy workloads and lack of time were the main things getting in the way of a healthy work/life balance.
Allowing employees to do their work when and where they see fit is a great way to improve this.
3. Many employees are still afraid to take advantage of telecommuting.
One of the best ways to improve your telecommuting program is to make sure workers understand there will be no stigma attached to those who do take advantage of it. Reason:
- 21% of employees believed they’d make less money if they telecommuted
- 16% were concerned they’d lose their jobs
- 11% believed their peers would think they don’t work hard, and
- 13% were worried their boss would flat-out say “No.”
