• Remote work, or telecommuting, is performing work at a location other than an “official duty station.”
• Telecommuting is beneficial for both employers and employees.

Remote work, also called telecommuting, is performing work at a location other than an “official duty station,” most likely one’s home. With portable computers, high-speed internet, and smart phones, many employees can work almost anywhere at least some of the time.

Telecommuting provides benefits for both employers and employees. Research shows that working remotely often:

• Improves the quality of work/life and job performance;
• Reduces office overcrowding;
• Provides a distraction-free environment for reading, thinking, and writing; and
• Improves retention, leave usage, and productivity.

Employing remote workers also creates flexibility in hiring. If the company is restricted by location, it can hire the best and brightest individuals from just about anywhere.