Reduces the costs associated with commuting. Reduces stress from commuting, which is often aggravated by traffic and weather delays. Gives employees the flexibility to better balance work, family and non-work responsibilities, which, as we all know is increasingly important as more and more employees find themselves caring for aging parents and for children. Helps make it easier for employees with disabilities, who want to work, to avoid the hassles and other difficulties of commuting. And, telecommuting allows employees who are recovering from work-related injuries or who have continuing health problems to work a modified schedule without coming into the office.
Telecommuting also helps our communities.
The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has the second longest and most costly commute in the nation. It also ranks second in the nation to Los Angeles in traffic congestion. Add to that the major long-term construction projects planned for local thoroughfares and bridges beyond those we are already experiencing, and you can see that the commuting problem we face today is only going to get worse. Reducing air pollution, by keeping cars, which produce about 30 percent of urban smog, off the road. And, by conserving fuel, which also helps reduce our nation s dependence on foreign oil.