In honor of the occassion yesterday, I posted an Earth Day-inspired article about the disunion between projecting a “green” corporate image and following through on the personnel and telecommuting end of what it truly means to be an environmentally-conscious corporation. Once I started down the path where that topic lives, I got frustrated all over again about the issue—I just don’t understand how, in this day in age, telecommuting is not the standard.
One report that will be discussed more in-depth below suggests that “as many as 53 million people could telecommute. Could? What do you mean, could? 53 million people? Out of the two billion cars some anticipate, this is a dent, no?
The study, which was undertaken by the Consumer Electronics Association and discussed in the journal Offshore, states that “presently, 3.9 million people in the United States work from home at least 1 day per week. With the average commute put at 22 miles, this saves 840 million gallons of gasoline per year—but that’s against total U.S. gasoline consumption at 146 billion gallons per year” (Matlin 2008). In environmental terms, this is an incredibly large impact for what amounts to some very small changes.
And about that projection of 53 million potential teleworkers? If they were permitted, even one day per week, to work without leaving their homes—without ever starting their engine in the morning--the savings on gasoline alone would be visible within one year--“Even at just 1 day per week, that works out to an 8% reduction in annual gasoline use” (Matlin 2008).
And decreases in gasoline consumption lead to more money in the pockets of consumers. And more money in the pockets of consumers leads to a healthier consumer spending. And more consumer spending leads to more businesses surviving the storm, etc. But really, when we get down to it, the economy is not static and tends to reset itself—our environment isn’t so lucky.
The question I keep returning to is why? Telecommuting makes environmental sense, it makes business sense. What is missing, my dear employers? What can I do for you today?
What else do you need to further convince you that this is the right thing to do—not just for your own business, for the economy that it keeps it afloat, and for the speck of dirt we’re all doing a semi-lousy job of sharing.
What is it outside of sheer apathy, fear, business-based superstition, lack of trust, unwillingness to adopt new technologies, unfounded concerns about productivity, or general stagnation that is keeping you from seeing the viability, usefulness, and positive effects this could have on you and your bottom line?
Study after study confirms that it’s just plain irresponsible for businesses to make commitments to being green without allowing all employees to telecommute—at least all of them that possibly can. When one factors in the savings for businesses, particularly in large cities with ridiculous real estate costs, I still don’t understand why telecommuting arrangements are a possibility and not a standard.
In my discussions about this topic with business owners (from multinationals to locals) I really have found a pattern in the negative responses about offering telecommuting to employees. I can mention the business cost/savings issue until I’m blue in the face and they shake their head and imply that I don’t understand how business really works. But when I start talking “green” they inevitably look a little shamefaced.
Good!
The response pattern for employers who are not taking any strides is typically comprised of equal parts of apathy when it comes to the general, ho-hum matter of telecommuting, lack of information about how to make the shift, and simple unwillingness to budge from old proven systems of daily operations. Businesses are afraid of this change so maybe my timing is off—maybe I should wait until the economy readjusts, resets—then the time will be ripe again to carry out my missionary-type (sometimes over) zealous quest to convince.
Maybe I should wait for the ripe moment but I will not. And neither should any of you.
The answer to today's quiz is E. Did you really just scroll all the way to the bottom to check?
Source: Matlin, J. (2008). Telecommuting benefits outweigh negatives. Offshore,68(12), 2-2.
4 comments:
I too, have been examining why we do not seem to be getting the impact the potential of working remotely might yield. In my research I have come to the conclusion that working from home does not produce a 'holistic' enough solution. Given the magnitude of challenges we face, telework in its current form does not work for enough of the workforce, enough of the time to meet our needs. I have been advancing a broader approach to remote working in the form of a more specific multi-location model. The distributed workplace process goes beyond simple 'hoteling' and drop in centers to a higher order economies of scale, security and permanence of workforce distribution. Additionally, this architecture supports the inclusion of distance learning and telemedicine. There are social and cultural dynamics to work that are not satisfied by today's current approaches. Much like holding a hammer by its head, our current telework efforts do not yield the maximum leverage. The distributed workplace approach may be viewed at www.pocketsnet.com.
Michael, I have across several articles related to the type of work that you do and I agree that what you and your company support offers a positive and realistic (realistic being the key word) solution. I will also agree, without any hesitation, that the wholesale revolution I discuss here on this blog is just as much about the ideal as it is about the actual and immediately possible.
I am thinking big on purpose because it allows for broader thought.
What you are working on, I might add, is a solution that I wholeheartedly support. I realized after reading your comment that I have not put enough emphasis on the many arrangements that are possible outside of simply working in the confines of one's home and will go on, in future posts, to discuss more about the multi-location, distributed model.
My goal with this site is not to suggest that there is one holistic solution, but that there are many. Some are guaranteed to make more of an environmental impact than others and I agree that what you propose might provide a much broader base for companies to make less drastic decisions--at least at first.
I applaud what you do and will write more about it in the future. I do see what you promote as a balanced, sustainable solution that is promising across the board.
This is still a relatively new blog and I have a list of potential post topics that is endless. Covering alternative working arrangements are certainly included on this list and have now been bumped up.
Thanks for your insights, they are much appreciated.
A significant benefit is that the commuting time is eliminated. Given that the average commute is about 30 miles this can amount to several hours a week that nobody gets any benefit from except your mechanic. You might even be able to get a reduction in your car insurance, as your exposure is significantly less. Dry cleaning and professional clothes is another expense that would probably decrease, as well as the cost (and wasted time) of eating out every day.
I work at home and one of the big advantages is that every couple of hours I can take a 20 minute break to stretch and exercise (Wii Fit and Wii sports get my blood moving) and then be back working minutes later. Finally, not being exposed to large groups means that my exposure to communicable diseases is lower, so between the increased exercise and lessened exposure I tend to get sick very infrequently.
There is a problem in feeling isolated when you work alone, but that is not a fatal flaw. In fact you could easily trade off working at each others houses with nearby coworkers.
Michael #2 - You bring up several great practical points, especially about the numerous savings on an individual level. These purchases and expenses related to commuting on a daily basis do add up and your point about clothing, insurance, and car wear and tear are important.
I wonder what kind of impact a mass shift away from the morning and evening commute (not to mention lunch hours where many people drive to get fast food at a local eatery or burger chain) will have on the overall economy. This is something I like to make predictions about, but usually these predictions are grim.
For a while if there was a massive shift away from the commute, economies would require a period of "resetting" and readjusting. This would mean permanent elimination for some but would foster more inter-community businesses to spring up and take their place.
Oh no, here I go on another tangent. Stop me!
Isolation is a big issue for remote workers but there are many communities for teleworkers both virtual and physical and plenty of coworking options as well. This is another way that Michael #1 above's solution is positive because it provides the social context that many people miss when out of an office environment.
While this blog does not really deal with the day-to-day problems or rewards of working outside of a traditional office or commuting with the rest of the 9-5 crowd, there are a number of great resources available that do. One of my favorite has become WebWorkerDaily.com because they understand too well how lonely it can be, how hard it can be to remain productive, and what apps and tools provide the best way to stay on top of your game.
Thanks for reading--I look forward to more of your comments here.
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