Millions of Americans face tighter budgets than ever in this struggling economy. Instead of cutting employee numbers to cut costs, business owners and employees re-evaluating spending habits may wish to consider "workshifting."

 

"Workshifting" is a term coined by Citrix Online, creator of the popular GoToMeeting(R) web conferencing and GoToMyPC(R) remote access solutions, which enable individuals outside of the office to connect and work from anywhere Internet service is available.

 

TechCast, a virtual think tank based at George Washington University, forecasts that 30 percent of employees in industrialized nations will telework two to three days a week by 2019. Working from home, workshifting, telecommuting, teleworking -- whatever it's called -- can bring reduced costs and better productivity to a business. Employees who are able to occasionally work outside the office can realize a number of benefits as well.

 

Benefits to Employers

 

Some of the most obvious advantages of workshifting to employers are a reduced need for office space and equipment and lower utility bills, according to "Workshifting Benefits: The Bottom Line," a report compiled by the Telework Research Network (TRN) and commissioned by Citrix Online.

 

In a traditional office environment, employers have to rent space, furnish that space and provide the equipment employees need to do their jobs. But depending upon the workshifting arrangement, employees who work from a remote location may be responsible for their own computers and equipment, and they may pay their own utilities. The savings for an employer in real estate space and utilities alone can total thousands of dollars a year. And the ability for an employer to recruit from anywhere gives them an expanded pool of workers from which to choose.

 

Workshifting also saves money by increasing employee productivity and reducing absenteeism. Individuals who work from home are 27 percent more productive than their office counterparts, according to the report.

 

Employees who workshift are less likely to call in sick or take days off for personal needs such as doctors' appointments or child care. They can simply work their schedules around these appointments accordingly. Unscheduled absences can cost employers $1,800 per employee per year. Across the United States, this costs businesses up to $300 billion annually. Companies that allow part-time workshifting for an average of 50 employees may realize a savings of more than $55,000 per year, according to the report.

 

Workshifting can be a boon to employers who want to keep valuable employees but can't afford to recognize their efforts with a pay raise. Further, employers looking for a bargaining tool with employees can offer workshifting as an option during negotiations. According to the report, when polled, nearly 80 percent of workers said they would like to telework and might even take that option over a pay raise.  

 

Replacing an employee can be expensive. In addition to the resulting recruiting costs -- which include advertising, hours spent sorting through resumes, and interviewing -- an employee who quits may take away customers. Staff reductions can lead to lost business. This makes keeping employees who are productive a top priority. Workshifting can instill feelings of trust in employees and boost morale -- making them more apt to stay with a company even if a pay raise is not an option, according to the report.

 

Benefits to Employees

 

Employees come away with many benefits from the workshifting arrangement -- including the potential for financial gains.

 

With restrictions lifted on where a person can live or work, employees from different geographic locations can apply for jobs around the country or world. That may mean greater salary potential from what their local markets offer.  

 

Employees who workshift spend less on commuting tolls, train or bus fares and gas. They subject their vehicles to less wear and tear. The average teleworker can save roughly $362 annually on fuel expenses alone, offers the report, which also notes that individuals who work from home a portion of the time may not experience stress-related illnesses as much as those who spend all of their time in the office. This helps to reduce medical-related costs and wages lost due to absenteeism.

 

Workshifting can also mean saving on expenses like child day care or elder care. Teleworkers may be able to keep children at home or figure out other arrangements that reduce dependence on a care facility or program. Daycare costs for babies and toddlers in the U.S. range from $4,388 to $14,647 a year ($366 to $1,221 monthly), according to data from the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).

 

Workshifting provides a viable way for both employers and employees to save money while boosting productivity. Companies and employees considering the workshifting option need a reliable, secure way to meet, transfer files and access remote desktops online. For more information go to www.workshifting.com or www.citrixonline.com.

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