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Telecommunications have risen over the years, and we’ll likely continue to see an increase in the number of people allowed to work from home. As many who work from home would probably agree, working remotely is the ideal working situation.
There are many reasons why telecommuting is on the rise. Benefits are evident for overhead costs to stakeholders and businesses, but employees often have a long list of good qualities to their flexible remote situation.
There are many good qualities to choosing remote work, from decreasing your daily stress levels, work and life balance, and even insurance for people who work from home. Let’s dive into the history of the remote work movement and make this work environment one of the best decisions you’ll make for your future, career, and family.
Telecommuting: the History of the Work-From-Home Movement
The term telecommunications was coined in 1972 by a NASA communication specialist named Jack Nilles. At the time, Nilles was working on a complex communication system and was doing so at home. This was a foreign concept and would take years to be an accepted form of working.
Shortly after that, in 1979, author Frank Schiff adopted the term ‘flex space’ in an article published in the Washington Post called “Working From Home Can Save Gasoline.” This popular article discussed the benefits of working remotely and how this can change the landscape of how we perform some jobs in the work field.
This article is a driving force behind the first telecommunication conference held in 1980. The conference widely opened the door to discuss how we can move forward with this concept of telework.
At the time, personal home computers and good computer skills were not widely popular, and having a sufficient workspace in the comfort of your home seemed almost unattainable. However, these incidents propelled the conversation and helped build our trust in telecommuting.
Top 5 Benefits of Telecommuting
#1 – Less Time at the Pump
You’ll be filling up less at the pump when you eliminate your drive into the office. The average amount of miles a person drives to work is 16 miles. When you multiply this commute by week, month, and then a year, these numbers are substantial, adding up to your average spend at the pump.
#2 – Environmental Benefits
Not only will skipping a commute into the office save you money as a commuter, but it is much more environmentally friendly. Just think about all those in the workforce who work remotely and the amount of pollution we reduce by skipping or decreasing the number of office days.
#3 – Reduced Wear and Tear on Your Vehicle
Miles on a vehicle turn the dial on the odometer, but there is so much more wear and tear on a car that ultimately costs money. Along with gas mileage, you’ll need to account for tire rotations and replacement, oil changes, and regular maintenance on your vehicle. Staying away from a daily commute will also account for less money spent at the mechanic’s shop.
#4 – Increased Productivity
Many people argue that working from home is distracting and less productive. However, many studies have contradicted this hypothesis. They say you tend to be more efficient working from home and work smarter during workday hours. Instead of sitting at a desk all day, you tend to flex your time to business needs.
#5 – Better Work-Life Balance
Balance is the best benefit for many of us. Think about how much time you spend getting to the office. While working from home, you avoid traffic, driving, and rushing out of the house in the morning. The average commute time for individuals is about 26 minutes, which is so much wasted time in our lives. Work-life balance lends to less stress and more happiness.
How to Be a Successful Telecommuter
Make sure you have a designated workstation that will allow you plenty of room to complete any necessary tasks. This space will separate work from life and enable you to clock out when you’re done with your workday. This is critical, as we tend to burn ourselves out if we don’t create separation from these two worlds.
Get dressed and create a routine that starts your day in the morning. Begin your day with a meal, coffee or tea, and even meditation. Jumping right into your workday can wear down your morale, lending to quick burnout.
Many businesses will provide a VPN network to secure confidential or essential business information. Breaches to networks have increased over the years, and employers are working harder than ever to keep their information safe.
Finally, try to foster an excellent virtual team environment. Working from home, while enjoyable, can be very isolating. Try to find some coworkers you can chat with throughout the day and hop on a video call. Also, consider picking up a hobby that will get you outside of your home.
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Carla Hughes writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. Carla has worked remotely from home for over six years with much success and feels it has been beneficial to her career and personal life.
