Green Telecommuting
Enhancing “green” energy-saving programs to help keep people off overtaxed roads and to reduce emissions was listed in a 2008 report by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA) as a motivator for federal agencies to implement a telework program within their enterprise.
And with good reason.
Teleworking Helps Reduce Carbon Output
The 2005/2006 National Technology Readiness Survey (NTRS), sponsored by the Robert H. Smith School of Business’ Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland and technology research firm Rockbridge Associates Inc., determined that about 1.35 billion gallons of fuel could be saved if everyone with the potential to telecommute did so 1.6 days per week, based on a driving average of 20 miles per day, getting 21 miles-per-gallon.
The Sun Microsystem ‘Open Work’ telework program showed that “the energy saved by an employee who works from home just 2.1 days per week equaled 5,400 Kilowatt hours (Kwh) per year. (The average home uses 1,000 KWh per month in energy.)”
Telus, one of Canada's largest communications companies, reported that its telework program, since 2006, has resulted in $144,500 in savings by team members in fuel and vehicle repairs, 1.94 million kilometers/1.2 million miles not driven, 1,250 days of time saved, and 135,000 kg of CO2 not released into the atmosphere.
Implement a Teleworking Program
Teleworking has proven economic and environmental benefits – what is preventing your organization from starting a teleworking program?
Learn more about the Route1 TruOFFICE service to see how your workforce can securely, simply and cost-effectively begin accessing their digital resources from home or on the road.
