With a record-setting snowstorm here on the east coast, a lot of employees are taking advantage of telecommuting to keep on top of work responsibilities when commuting to the workplace is not an option.  But what about the many businesses that make telework a way of life?

NPR did a story yesterday highlighting a company that opted out of bricks and mortar entirely and staffs all 40 employees virtually.  Fuentek, a company dedicated to helping clients commercialize new technology, was founded and grew around the premise that employees would work exclusively from home.   The founder, Laura Schoppe, has found that employees are actually more productive when they work from home and set their own schedules.

Completely office-less companies like Fuentek are rare, but working from home is growing more popular at all kinds of employers. A 2008 survey by a consortium called World at Work found that some 17 million Americans telecommuted at least part time. Consultant Maryann Perrin, who helps employers adopt flexible work arrangements, says telecommuting has become common in companies large and small.

“As they look at their business growing, this bricks and mortar that’s going to have to grow along with it is extremely costly,” Perrin says. “And they’ve realized if they can take more advantage of telework, that they can have a significant impact on the bottom line.”

Whether it’s email, online research, or even logging into your workplace desktop remotely, almost all modern workplace assignments can be performed virtually.  And of course, all of this is made possible by broadband!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.