Workshifting Benefits: The Bottom Line

A paper prepared for Citrix Online by Telework Research Network / Aerodite, Inc. (Kate Lister & Tom Harnish, 2010)
TeleworkResearchNetwork.com

“The purpose of this paper is to quantify the benefits of workshifting — specifically working from home — has for employers, employees, and the community. Citrix Online coined the term ‘workshifting’ to describe the growing trend to working from anywhere other than a traditional office through the use of web-based technology. The older and more traditional terms for this are ‘teleworking’ or even ‘telecommuting’. Both of these terms are cited in this report to preserve its authenticity, since some of the data specifically cited those terms.”

 We look at the issue of Work/Life Balance in December & January and are convinced of the numerous benefits. It turns out that trust in employees to get the job done is a winning proposition for everyone. Studies have shown that employees actually put in more hours, are more productive, better at prioritizing. Employers reap the benefits of more productive and happy employees, reduced costs for real estate and utilities, and better talent acquisition/retention. The community benefits from additional investment of time in the social fabric and volunteering by telecommuters. And the environment benefits from reduced emissions and less use of resources.

 Here are some highlights of the bottom line benefits detailed in this report:

 Employer—Productivity Assumptions:
• 27% increase in productivity on workshifting days
• Value of employee time = $32,136 per man-year
• Average reduction in absenteeism = 3.7 days a year

Employer—Attraction and Retention Assumptions:
• 25% reduction in attrition
• Cost of turnover = 138% of wages

Commuter—Gas Savings Assumptions:
• Commuting miles/day = 30
• % Reduction in driving = 75%

Consumer—Time Savings Assumptions:
• Average commute = 52 minutes round trip; Low = 29 minutes; High = 79 minutes

Community—Oil Savings Assumptions:
• Import cost = $80.07/barrel
• 19.6 gallons of gas per barrel of crude
• Persian Gulf oil imports = 790 million barrels

Greenhouse Gas Savings (GHG) Assumptions:
• U.S. GHG reduction stated in million metric tons (MMT)
• One gallon of gas = 20.9 pounds of greenhouse gases
• Equivalent cars based on 5.5 average tons of GHG per car/year
• Goal for greenhouse gas reduction by 2020 = 17% of 2005 levels for CO2

  

References

Learn more about workshifting at the Telework Research Network.

Read the entire Workshifting Benefits: The Bottom Line report.

  

Further Reading

Work/Life Balance – What is it?

Read other articles on Work/Life Balance on the Redfish Resource Site

Work/Life Balance Survey – Take a minute to weigh in and win our everlasting gratitude!