Subscribe
Previous Post
During the tough economic times we’re facing, you might feel a bit leery about asking your boss for a telecommuting arrangement just now. If you are already working from home on certain days, you may feel as if your job is now in jeopardy because of the economy.
In rough times, fears about our jobs become increased. It’s only natural. And when you’re someone that is out of the physical range of the workplace, you may feel especially vulnerable.
But I’m here to tell you, telecommuting can be a positive thing for rough economic times. Here are a few points that should help you drive home the point to your boss:
Telecommuting Saves the Company Money
When you’re not at work taking up space, your computer is off. The lights in your cubical or office are off. You are probably using your own paper, pens, and ink, thus saving the cost of office supplies.
You’ll Probably Be a More Dependable Employee
Telecommuting generally makes you a more reliable employee (not that you aren’t now, of course.) Telecommuters don’t have to call in sick as often (for themselves or their kids). They are generally happier. If your spouse has a job that gets moved somewhere else, you don’t need to quit your job. You simply move it right along with your spouse. And by walking down the hall to work instead of making your way through rush hour, your boss won’t have to worry about you arriving to work late.
Your Company Can Be Part of a Growing Trend
Rather than talking about your need to be at home with kids or for personal time, make sure your boss knows why telecommuting is a good arrangement for the company. Arm yourself with statistics, check with competitors to see what their telecommuting arrangements are, and read as much about the benefits as possible.
Offer to Use Your Positive Example to Help Market Your Company
Make yourself the example your company can use when recruiting new employees. Your company can benefit by providing real-life information on their telecommuting program, and how it has made a positive different in the life of their employees. You could even suggest using this information in their marketing materials to clients. Let your boss know you will help write about the success of telecommuting as part of a white paper or case study.
It’s easy to feel nervous about your job during tough economic times. But with some concrete facts and the right approach, you can make your company see the benefits of telecommuting.
Image from Morguefile.
Gina: It’s a great point. I’ve seen both happen in my experience in the corporate world.
On one hand, it’s so much cheaper for the company to keep a contractor for the reasons you mention (reduced taxes, benefits, and sometimes compensation). I know at least one major company in my area that purposely recruits thousands of contractors for that very reason.
On the other hand, sometimes a company is looking to cut some quick losses, and they may view contractors as unnecessary overhead. I personally don’t agree with this nor do I think it makes good sense in a corporate structure, but it does happen.
All in all, it really depends on the company, what their long and short term goals are, and how educated they are about the benefits of telecommuting.
I know people who’ve asked to become independent contractors for their jobs – just to be able to telecommute. Their bosses have jumped all over it in order to reduce payroll taxes and benefits compensation. I’ve been an IC before – but I’d be afraid to do that now since they might look to cut ICs before cutting employees. Do you think that’s true or do you think the opposite is true – they’d look to cut employees so as to further trim taxes/benefit costs?
nateast: Very true. The reduced cost of fuel with telecommuting is huge.
If more people telecommuted there would be far less dependency on foreign oil. The economy would be better and you wouldn’t have to worry about reccession proofing.