Working From Home: How Employees and Employers Win

Employee Retention

The reduction in commuting time and expansion of personal control can lower stress levels in employees.  This, in turn, leads to employees being happy with their jobs and not wanting to leave.  According to a recent survey conducted by Salary.com, after compensation, the ability to work from home is second only to professional development as a reason people stay with their current jobs.

Also, with the baby boom generation beginning their retirement (the first baby boomers reached 62 this year), employers worried about the dissolving work force might want to offer telecommuting as an incentive for retention.  In a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and a group of defense industry companies, 28% of employees say the option to telecommute would make them want to put off retirement.

Tax Benefits

In 2009, Georgia will become the first state to offer tax credits to companies that allow employee's to telecommute.  The Georgia Telework Tax Credit offers a company $20,000 for planning, training and/or labor costs in setting up a telework program.  It also offers an additional $1200 per new teleworker created in 2009 to help offset the cost of equipment like computers, software and maintenance.

Even if you're not a Georgia Peach, ask your local accountant or tax office if there are any state benefits available to your employer if they let you telecommute.