No comprehensive analysis of the telecommuting stakeholders has been done. But, the Oregon Office of Energy has learned a great deal from the more than 2,500 employers it has worked with since 1993. Interest in telecommuting is high, but there are some barriers for both employers and employees that hinder the development of full-scale telecommuting. Some of those barriers will be lessened or eliminated as telecommunications technology advances. Making telecommuting a widespread option does not depend on huge outlays of money by government, as do roads and transit systems.
Telecommuting saves employees time, cost, and stress of the work commute.
It also provides them the flexibility to better balance their work and home lives. Employers see telecommuting as a way to keep valued employees and recruit top-quality new staff. Employers also are looking at its potential for boosting productivity. Other benefits include the potential for reducing office and parking space, and meeting requirements of the ADA and ECO Rules. The emergence of home computers, modems, E-mail, fax machines, audio and video conferencing and other communication technologies has made it possible for many jobs to be done virtually anywhere.