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Ever wonder about the benefits of Teleworking? I can fill you in a bit since I have been a remote worker for the past 4 1/2 years, but first I’d like to address the average 63 minute a day commute for most Canadians. The stats are pretty astonishing really.

How do you feel knowing that you have been spending literally 12 days every year out of your life, commuting to and from a job that should you be paid hourly, you’re not compensated? Currently, Torontonians spend the longest time, clocking in at 79 minutes per day, Montreal a close second contender at 76 minutes and then there’s Calgary at 66 min (2005).

Big cities, big pollutants, big eco impacts = mega stress. As it stands (”…We Stand on Guard For Thee”…) Canadians are slow to adopt the Teleworking and it boggles my mind. The “Big Cheese” thinks because he can’t see you, you aren’t working. What a naive approach. I always thought that you were based on achievements, results and outputs. Not just because he/she can notice you washed your hair today.

It’s a stigma that needs to be addressed and el pronto. Here are just a few reasons why:

1) Global warming
2) Stress
3) Reduction in lease/rent space
4) Less pollution
5) General office supplies expense reduced…

6) Coffee expenses go down
7) Lessor risk for accidental insurance claims and sick days
8) Reduction in water consumption and other everyday power resources (for the employer)
9) Increase in performance since the worker has less interruptions if they keep their door closed, off limits and don’t answer the home phone (employers can always opt to have a video cam that you can use at home)
10) Teleconferencing for meetings and trainings is easy and manageable

…and these are to name only a few.

So here are my benefits:

1) I get to wake up and use the extra time for myself such as my daily exercises
2) I get to be a WAHM - Work At Home Mom
3) I get to spend far more time with my family
4) I have less daily and monthly expenses
5) I don’t have to deal with office politics
6) I have far less interruptions
7) I have less daily stress
8) I pollute far less than the daily commuter
9) I get the same amount, if not more work accomplished

Now granted, because there are no hard facts to use, companies interested in Telework can approach those that do, to offer them some insight. What currently bugs the heck out of me is I work for a very large corporation who currently tells me I cannot mention that I work at home as a Teleworker or Remote Agent. I have to tell the customer if he/she asks that I work in the head office in Markham, Ontario even though I am working from home in Alberta because it doesn’t appear professional. Well, if you’re an employer reading this let me tell you a few things:

1) I take my profession just as serious as an office worker
2) I spend less time in the bathroom since I’m not worried about how my lipstick looks
3) It tells me you really don’t know your customers. Do you really think that if it’s storming here in Alberta and they hear the thunder over the phone in Ontario that they believe I just work “around the corner”? Shame on you for making me lie to the customer who puts food on your table.
4) I take up less time from your manager since I can schedule my doctors and other health appointments anytime. I can easily work the hour or two in a little later in the evening if necessary.

Teleworking may not be for everyone, but for many office workers, it should be made possible.

C’mon Canada, get over the misconceptions, wake up and smell the coffee will ya!

Peace.