9 Factors Driving the Increase in Telecommuting

Updated April 2023

While it certainly began increasing long before, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend of working from home. As a result, the increase in telecommuting has become a hot topic in the corporate world. Companies have realized that telecommuting can be an effective way to maintain business continuity, attract the best talent, and keep valuable employees happy and productive. But beyond that, there are still several other factors driving the increase in telecommuting.

Here are nine factors that are driving the increase in telecommuting:

1. Talent Acquisition and Retention.

Finding and keeping good employees is difficult, even in a bad economy. With the rise of remote work, companies have access to a larger pool of talent from across the globe. This means that companies can hire employees with the specific skill sets they need, without being limited by geographic location. This also means that companies can retain employees who may need to move due to personal circumstances, such as a spouse’s job relocation.

2. Going Green.

The increase in telecommuting is also driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and adopt environmentally friendly practices. Telecommuting reduces the need for employees to commute, which leads to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It also reduces the amount of office space required, which further reduces carbon emissions.

3. Cost Cutting.

Companies are always looking for ways to cut costs, and telecommuting is an effective way to do so. With telecommuting, companies can reduce the amount of office space they need, as well as the costs associated with maintaining an office, including office furniture, cubicles, supplies and things like air conditioning and heating. This can result in significant cost savings for employers.

4. Widespread Availability to Internet Access.

The increase in telecommuting is also driven by the widespread availability of high-speed internet access. Now, employees can work from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that employees can work from home, a coffee shop, or even while traveling, which is critical for employee productivity.

5. Growth in Mobile Devices.

You no longer need to be sitting in front of your laptop to check and respond to office emails. The proliferation of smart phones and other mobile devices has made telecommuting more efficient and productive. With mobile devices, employees can work from anywhere, at any time. This means that employees can be more productive and responsive to the needs of the company.

6. Security Concerns.

One of the challenges of telecommuting is ensuring the security of company data. However, advances in security technology have made it easier to secure data when employees are working remotely. This means that companies can maintain the security of their data, even when employees are working from home.

7. Results-Only Work Environments.

In the past, some companies have resisted telecommuting because they feared if managers couldn’t physically see that employees were working, the employees would not work. But studies have shown that employees are often more productive working from home. Results-only work environments and focusing on those results instead of facetime supports that productivity. After all, if an employer doesn’t trust their employees, why did they hire them in the first place?

8. Online collaboration Tools.

Working from home isn’t just for loners! The increase in telecommuting has led to the development of new online collaboration tools. These tools make it easier for employees to work together, even when they are not in the same location. This means that employees can collaborate on projects, share ideas, and communicate effectively, regardless of where they are working from. With messaging, video conferencing, and project management tools such as Slack, Zoom, Basecamp, and others, it’s easier than ever to stay updated on projects and have scheduled or impromptu meetings with the team.

9. More Digital Natives in the Workforce.

Digital natives are people who have grown up with a smart phone in their hands and a computer on their laps. They are not only comfortable with technology, but excel in using it to improve productivity and efficiency.

Remote work offers numerous benefits, including increased flexibility, cost savings, access to a wider talent pool, and reduced carbon emissions. As technology continues to improve and the younger generation of digital natives enter the workforce, we can expect to see remote work become even more prevalent in the future.

Which factor do you think continues to contribute to the increase in telecommuting? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to tell us. We’d love to hear from you!