Want happier, loyal and more productive employees? Send them home. According to a recent survey from Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples., telecommuters say they feel and work better when working from home. In fact, 86 percent of telecommuters say they are more productive in their home office.
When asked to draw comparisons, telecommuters say their stress levels have dropped 25 percent on average since working from home. Seventy-three percent even say they eat healthier when working from home.
Without the trek to the office -- on average, a 75-mile round-trip for respondents -- 76 percent of telecommuters are more willing to put in extra time on work and say they are more loyal to their company since telecommuting.
The number of telecommuters is on the rise -- expected to reach 63 million in the United States by 2016, according to a March 2009 report, "U.S. Telecommuting Forecast, 2009 to 2016," from Forrester Research, Inc.
The survey pointed to opportunities for companies to better assist their workers. For instance, most telecommuters said their companies don't provide furniture (87 percent), office equipment (60 percent) or supplies (57 percent). Improving in these areas can help create an environment that simulates corporate office conditions and maximizes productivity.