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In many industries and businesses, telecommuting is becoming an increasingly popular work option where the employee works at a remote location (may be his/her home), away from the actual business facility where they are employed. Telecommuters keep contact with their supervisors and coworkers via various computer and communication technology like Internet, telephone, electronic mail, virtual meetings, etc.

You can get a detailed overview of Transportation Implications of Telecommuting at that analyses only one aspect amongst the many telecommuting advantages – how the economics of the company, the nation as a whole and the environment stands to gain from elimination of a trip to office.

The American Consumer pronounces that broadband connectivity and collaboration software could increase the percentage of telecommuters from 10% to 20% of the U.S. workforce over the next ten years.

A 2008 case study done by the human resources of a technology firm found that more than 44 million of Americans were avoiding commuting by doing some of their allotted tasks outside the office.
If you are wondering how telecommuting can help modern businesses, here are some factors that will help you to decide:

• Increased productivity: Since the employees don’t have to travel long distances to reach office, they can invest the time and energy to get the work done, which would have otherwise been wasted on commuting. Unlike interruptions like those at coffee break, coworkers at work, telecommuting usually helps workers concentrate better and increase the speed and accuracy of the delivered product, provided the person has a specific area marked for the work – away from the living room or the bedroom, and distractions like the sudden "drop-in" of a friend or relative doesn’t happen.
• Higher retention rates of employees: People often have to leave their jobs when they undergo major life changes like that of relocating to another place due to parent’s illness, spouse's career or the decision to start a family. Business that offer telecommuting as an option can retain the services of workers under such circumstances. Telecommuting can also help the employees to become happier as they can now invest more time for enjoyable activities and get greater flexibility for tasks like elder and child care. No wonder that business can retain valued personnel by giving them the option of telecommuting. What’s more - these happy employees are often more motivated than their office going counterparts.
• Lower absenteeism: Telecommuting helps to cut down on the rate of absenteeism as workers no longer need to take a day off to stay at home and care for a sick parent or child.
• Cost savings: Businesses can save a lot in terms of office overheads by allowing their employees to telecommute as they will need smaller office space and parking space to meet their requirements under such circumstances. According to a study, AT&T saved almost $3,000 per office with telework by consolidating or eliminating office space that were no longer needed. Even IBM saves $700 million in real estate costs as 25% of its 320,000 workers worldwide work as telecommuters.
  The companies that hire independent contractors can even save more by doing away with social security and other benefits, which are applicable for full time employees.
• Helps in recruitment: By offering telecommuting as an option, business can reach a broader and talented labor pool and get a chance to hire quality recruits as compared to when the employees have to travel to the company’s office every day. So, physical disabilities and geographical boundaries become less significant as people having the requisite skills are allowed to participate in the workforce, irrespective of their location or chronic illnesses.

The wonders of telecommuting is greatly pronounced even in the case study of Aetna. No wonder that many employers are discovering these days that their telecommuting employees are accomplishing more work that’s of better quality.