文／梅拉妮·皮诺拉 译／唐毅

By Melanie Pinola

The Future of Business: Telecommuting商务发展的未来：远程办公

文／梅拉妮·皮诺拉 译／唐毅

ByMelanie Pinola

Remote work arrangements (or telecommuting programs) offer significant benefits to employers. Here are a few of the biggest reasons why telecommuting is the future of business:

1. Save office space and reduce costs

Companies can save thousands on office space and parking for each employee that works remotely (the Telework Coalition estimates the cost of office space for the average worker to be $10,000 per year). Future growth would also not be limited by available office space.

2. Enhance employee productivity and work/life balance

Several studies and reports on telecommuting provide evidence of 15%—45% gains in productivity when employees work from home.Employees become more productive when they telecommute because there are fewer distractions, minimal(if any) socializing, and less stress.Telecommuters also usually have a greater sense of control over and responsibility towards their work, which definitely contributes to a better work product and satisfaction.

远程工作安排（也称远程办公计划）让雇主受益良多。以下内容说明了为何远程办公是未来商务发展的方向。

1.节约办公空间，降低成本

每位远程办公的员工都能为公司节约价值数以千计的办公空间和停车空间（远程工作联盟估计，平均每位员工每年可节约1万美元）。有无办公空间亦不会影响公司未来的发展。

2.提高效率，平衡工作与生活

有关远程办公的几项研究和报告提供的证据证明，雇员在家工作，效率可提高15%—45%。远程办公，雇员工作时干扰更少，社交活动最少（如果还有社交的话），压力也更小，于是他们的效率就提高了。实行远程工作，雇员通常能更好地掌控工作，更有责任心。这无疑能提高工作绩效，提升对工作的满意度。

3. Reduce absenteeism and help maintain operations

Telecommuters and mobile workers1mobile worker指不是一直坐在办公室工作的雇员，如销售代理、采购人员等。can work in bad weather, when children are home sick or during school closings,and in other instances where regular employees might instead take a personal or sick day. Reducing unscheduled absenteeism can save large employers over $1 million per year and increase staff morale overall.

Telework programs also enable both large and small companies to maintain their operations during times of emergency, severe weather events,or when there are concerns over health epidemics (e.g., swine flu).

3.减少缺勤，助力运营

远程工作者和移动工作者在天气恶劣、孩子生病在家或孩子不上学等情况下，均可以照常工作。遇到这些情况或其他情况，固定上班的员工则可能请事假或病假。总的说来，减少非计划类的缺勤每年可以为大企业主节约一百万美元以上的费用，雇员干劲也更大。

无论大公司还是小公司，实行远程工作计划都能帮助他们在遇到紧急情况、恶劣天气，或在发生流行病而危及健康的情况下（如发生猪流感时），维持公司正常运转。

4. Increase employee retention and help attract new staff

Happier employees are usually better employees, and telecommuting definitely increases employee job satisfaction and, thus, loyalty. Telework programs also help companies retain employees with common circumstances such as needing to care for sick family members, starting a new family,or needing to relocate for personal reasons. Reducing turnover saves on considerable recruiting costs.

Telecommuting is also an excellent incentive when looking for additional skilled staff in occupations that are high in demand. One-third of CFOs in one survey said that a telecommuting program was the best way to attract top talent.

5. Help save the environment by eliminating commuting time

Companies can do their part in promoting a greener world through establishing remote work programs.Fewer commuters means fewer cars on the road, which translates to less air pollution and reduced fuel consumption.The Climate Group indicates that telecommuting and technologies such as online video conferencing decrease tons of carbon dioxide each year.

All in all, it looks like telecommuting benefits everyone.

4.减少员工流失，有利于吸引新员工

通常，雇员越开心，工作就越出色。显然，实行远程办公的雇员对工作更满意，因此更不愿离开公司另谋高就。通常雇员辞职，大多是需要照顾生病的家人、组建新的家庭或因个人原因需要搬家等，远程工作安排也有助于公司留住他们。减少人员流动可节约大笔招聘费用。

当公司的紧俏职位需要招聘技术娴熟的雇员时，远程工作也是一个非常诱人的因素。在一个调查中，三分之一的首席财务官都说，远程办公计划是吸引顶尖人才的最佳手段。

5.取消通勤，有助环境

通过建立远程办公计划，公司也可为推动建设一个更加绿色环保的世界发挥自己的作用。上下班人数减少，意味着路上车辆更少，从而减少空气污染，降低燃料消耗。气候组织（The Climate Group）表明，远程办公或线上视频会议等技术每年可减少数以吨计的二氧化碳排放。

总之，远程工作似乎让所有人受益。

（译者单位：东华大学外语学院）