5 Ways To Convince Your Boss To Let You Telecommute

Mobility makes sense for modern businesses. Rather than limit themselves to traditional computing, companies of all sizes see value in offering mobile services. Whether it’s banking on the go or scheduling a doctor’s appointment through an app, today’s consumer loves convenience. Companies respond to the demand by offering better ways to perform services, sell goods, and communicate to customers.

The average worker feels the same way about mobility. Technological advances in the past decade revolutionized the way employees do their jobs. No longer required to be present to ‘be present’ in an office, workers from all over the globe telecommute thanks to screen sharing and video conferencing technology. Telecommuting jobs are more common than ever. Here are some ways to convince your boss to let you telecommute.

01) Commuting Costs Are Expensive

Reuters reported on Census Bureau data in 2014. In an article about the true cost of commuting, the website stated, “10.8 million Americans travel more than an hour each way to work. And 600,000 endure “mega-commutes” of at least 90 minutes and 50 miles each way.” Reuters went on to say that “we often tend to dismiss commuting costs, as the necessary price of having a job. After all, especially in a difficult economic era, not everyone has the luxury of finding gainful employment within a short walk or bike ride from their home.”

The costs involved with commuting and working at an office really start to add up. For example, you have to factor in the price of owning, maintaining, and parking a vehicle, lunch, clothing, and ongoing training. Employees wanting to keep a position with a company, have to go to great lengths to protect their jobs. The costs involved with telecommuting jobs, however, are minimal. With no commute to make, employees attend meetings from the comfort of their own living rooms or home offices.

02) Modern Video Conferencing Technology Is More Productive

Video conferencing through professional providers, such as GoToMeeting, Zoom, JoinMe, and BlueJeans, require no additional hardware or software. Employees use the device they’re most familiar with (smartphone, tablet or computer) to access meetings. More importantly, they’re able to update their schedule via Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar. In-meeting controls make it possible for attendees to view and share content, see the people they’re speaking to, and change layouts.

Some companies with a large number of telecommuting jobs include Pandora, SquareSpace, BuzzFeed, National Geographic, and Facebook. Colleges and universities such as Princeton, Wharton University of Pennsylvania, and Berkley also find video conferencing services ideal, and telecommuting becomes effortless with a good platform and lots of video features to enhance the experience.

03) Telecommuting Helps Retain Employees

Employers can also save money by allowing employees to telecommute. Inc. reports that “video conferencing is highly valuable for retaining employees who have relocated due to work or who must work from home a day or two a week. It saves on costs related to recruiting, retaining and even office space, which is always at a premium. Over the long term, this technology helps keep legacy employees who know your company the best.”

So ultimately, video conferencing allows companies to retain exceptional employees, reduce operating costs, work out of a smaller workspace, and maintain a close connection to workers in other locations. Start-ups, specifically, benefit from hosting video meetings.

04) Recorded Video Serves As Valuable Training Tools For Telecommuters

Recording meetings for future reference is one thing that makes video conferencing worth the investment. Rather than rely on tradition note-taking, employees review footage and gain the information they seek. Consequently, if a man or woman isn’t able to attend a meeting due to schedule conflicts or illness, accessing recorded footage is possible. New employees also find value in previously recorded meetings and training videos.

Meetings are secure and supported by customer service representatives. There’s no need for a member of the IT department to standby. Without the need to focus on running hardware or software to conduct a meeting, companies channel their energy into the subject matter being covered at the meeting and whether or not, employees understand what is being taught to them or asked of them.

05) Video Conferencing Encourages Work-Life Balance

Hosting online meetings and conferences benefit employees in other ways besides saving time and money. Traveling back and forth to an office daily takes its toll on employees physically and mentally. Video conferencing eliminates the need for unnecessary travel and prevents workers from driving in bad weather.  Employees traveling long distances don’t have to deal with canceled flights, overbooked hotels or car reservations.

Convince Your Boss To Let You Telecommute

Employers use video conferencing to close the geographic gap between employees. By hosting virtual meetings, companies give telecommuters the opportunity to be a part of the workplace without adding time-constraints and cost. This gives employees a better work-life balance by allowing them to skirt travel expenses particularly if they reside in another city, state or country.