Thirty-three million Americans could work from home. If they did, the U.S. could make major cuts in oil dependency and significantly reduce global warming.
These findings, just released by telecommuting researchers, Kate Lister and Tom Harnish, are based on a synthesis of data from EPA, DOT, and 7 other recent sources. They found that telework could reduce Persian Gulf oil imports by 24 to 48 percent, reduce greenhouse gases by up to 67 million metric tons a year, and save as much as 7.5 trillion gallons of gasoline each year - a savings of $110 million a day.
The findings have been reviewed by the top authorities on the subject including: noted telecommuting expert Jack Nilles, Jack Heacock, co-founder of the Telework Coalition; Diane O'Grady, President of the Mid-Atlantic Telework Coalition; Nick Ramfos, Director of Washington-based Commuter Connections; Lauren Olsen, The Telework Exchange; and Bob Fortier, President of the Canadian Telework Association.
Details, including assumptions, sources, and links to other industry experts are provided here.
Research shows that 40 percent of the U.S. workforce holds jobs that are suitable for telecommuting. If they were allowed to work from home these teleworkers would collectively avoid 154 trillion miles of driving and save $25 trillion in fuel purchases, even accounting for mileage for errands formerly accomplished driving to or from work.
By telecommuting, the average commuter would accumulate the equivalent of five workweeks of free time a year.
12 million employees and another 16 million self-employed people currently work at home at least one day a month. Collectively, they now save the equivalent of 24 percent of Persian Gulf oil imports and avoid producing 33 million metric tons greenhouse gases a year.
"Telecommuting has been simmering for years," says Lister, "but it's only recently that economic and environmental factors, combined with technology advances, set the pot boiling. It's clear that, as a nation, we can and should make the road less traveled the way to work."
"We've reviewed over 50 studies dating back to the '70s," says Harnish, "and teleworkers are generally more productive than their office bound coworkers, even though many managers still don't trust people to work alone."
Employers are warming to the idea and the number of telecommuters has increased by 39 percent since 2002, and 10 percent in the last year. Telecommuting offers employers access to a larger talent pool, helps them recruit and retain good people, offers business continuity in the event of disaster, and reduces real estate costs. One company Lister and Harnish interviewed reported that telework has allowed them to eliminate a million square feet of office space.
Government support for the work-from-home model is picking up steam as well. Although not widely known, all federal agencies are required to promote telecommuting to the maximum extent possible. Legislation dating back to 1995 provides financial support for work at home programs. In August 2007, the House of Representatives approved The Telework Enhancement Act, which calls for stricter enforcement of earlier telework mandates. In December, the Senate passed an energy bill, H.R. 6, which includes a provision that would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop educational materials on the benefits of telecommuting. Additional telework legislation is pending in both the House and the Senate.
Kate Lister is a former banker, venture capital consultant, and business owner. Tom Harnish is a former Consulting Scientist, a Senior Scientist for an international computer service company, and CEO of several start-up companies.