Another Great Reason For Employers to Allow Telecommuting

I came across this article on Marketwatch the other day about telecommuting. Apparently, employees who are allowed to work at home are less likely to violate corporate ethics while on the job. Chalk that up to another reason for employers to consider allowing appropriate employees to telecommute.

By corporate ethics, they mean people who work at home are less likely to abuse expense reports, steal, misuse social media, things like that.

They don’t know exactly why there’s a difference, although the article does not that employees who are allowed to telecommute probably don’t want to lose that privilege, and that makes sense to me. Another possibility mentioned is that usually only the most responsible employees are allowed to work at home anyhow.

Of course, this doesn’t particularly effect you if you’re working at home for yourself. This is purely about people who telecommute from their current employer’s office.

If you’re wanting to telecommute, this is just one more thing to consider. I don’t believe it will impress your employer more than your ability to be more productive from home; after all, some telecommuters do break corporate ethics policies.

If you want to telecommute from your current job, start out by making sure it’s a good choice. How well can you do your job from home? How many days a week at home versus at the office? How can your boss be assured of your productivity?

Telecommuting is becoming more popular with employers, but you usually still have to convince them that you deserve the privilege. Think ahead so you’re ready to show them you can do it.