by Doreen Martel

Created on: July 25, 2009   Last Updated: December 15, 2011

If you are interested in telecommuting, there are some selling points that you can share with a manager or supervisor of that can help sway their decision. When approaching a manager or supervisor regarding telecommuting, you must find a way to convey the advantages that exist and downplay the disadvantages. Here are some helpful ways to make the case for telecommuting:

Cost Savings - Companies who offer telecommuting options to their employees often find it saves money in a number of ways. These include:

A) Space - An employer can save space (therefore saving money) if part of the staff is "remote". The more staff members who telecommute, the less space that is needed for an office.

B) Heating/Lighting - Since less space is required for telecommuting staff members it stands to reason that there is an additional cost savings in not paying for additional heating and lighting expenses for that space.

Additional Benefits

There are some benefits which are not always immediately apparent to supervisors and managers. These benefits should be pointed out to them when you are trying to make a case for telecommuting. They include:

Attendance - Employees who participate in telecommuting options on the job are less likely to take (or need) time off. Most employees who engage in the telecommuting experience take less time off, since they can easily make up hours during weekends and evening hours. Child care difficulties also result in days off for those who work "in house" and this problem is often eliminated if a staff member can work at home.

Retention - Many companies have discovered that an added benefit of telecommuters is that they often do not leave their jobs as frequently as their "in house" peers. This is because of the flexibility that telecommuting offers. Staff members who are able to have a more flexible schedule telecommuting are far more likely to stay on the job.

Productivity - Most employees who are telecommuters are more productive than their "in house" peers. This is typically a result of fewer interruptions from co-workers who interrupt and other interruptions that are inherent to the workplace. Those who work at home generally have fewer interruptions to their workday, making the telecommuter far more productive. This additional productivity also adds to the bottom line for the company.

To effectively make a case for telecommuting you need to find a way to make it palatable to your manager or supervisor. The case for telecommuting must be a strong one, have merit and show the benefit to the company. If you are considering approaching your supervisor or manager about telecommuting make sure you are prepared to make the case for telecommuting.

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