August 31, 2011
Working from home; Is telecommuting a great sustainability initiative or an employer’s worse nightmare?
Working from home; Is telecommuting a great sustainability initiative or an employer’s worst nightmare?
From time to time we come across an article that we like to share with our clients. Thefollowing is a thought-provoking article written by Kathryn Whitbourne, of ‘PINK’ magazine with quotes from one of our clients. Food for thought!
With Earth Day this month and the economy like it is, many employers and employees are looking for ways to “go green” as well as ways to save money. Allyis Inc. asked their employees how they can become a “greener” company. Many employees suggested the ability to work from home, leaving employers to answer the questions “what would be the impact to business, and what would it mean to clients”.
Challenger, Gray and Christmas, an outplacement consulting firm, conducted a poll on telecommuting as a cost effective solution with the results showing 57% of HR executives viewed telecommuting low on the list, with the most popular solution being a four -day work week.
This leads us to the question of “why is telecommuting seldom used when this is what the employees want?” John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray and Christmas responded “with companies struggling to turn a profit, managers want everyone on the front line.” Challenger also warns employees that telecommuters need to be careful not to be “out of sight, out of mind.”
When the decision about layoffs presents itself, managers find it easier to give a telecommuter the ax over an employee with whom the manager has a personal connection.
The truth is that not every employee has the discipline to telecommute. Some employees need to be able to talk over cubicle walls and exchange ideas. Employees and employers need face-to-face time in order to keep business and that relationships productive.
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. is the nation’s first, oldest and premiere utplacementconsulting firm.
Founded in the early 1960s, the firm’s primary goal is to assist displaced workers making the transition to reemployment. It has a proven record of success, conducting fully individualized programs and one-on one consulting for each individual who participates in the process.
Challenger, Gray and Christmas has been a Business Center International client since5-15-96
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