With gas prices going through the roof, more employers are considering allowing their staff the privilege of telecommuting. Statistics show that there are currently over 22 million people in the United States who work from home at least one day per week, and the number is expected to continue to rise, largely due to the escalating price of gas. While more employers are embracing the concept, there are still some that have not accepted the idea of telecommuting. They cite concerns about employee productivity and security. However, reports show that productivity is actually higher among telecommuters. And employees are happy to save time commuting and money spent on gas, as they do their jobs from their homes.



The success of telecommuting is such that even the Federal Government is taking steps to allow their workers to begin working from home. Thanks to high-speed Internet, and a variety of networking software such as GoToMyPC and MeetMeNow that allows the employee to access his office computer files from home and even attend meetings remotely~ telecommuting is becoming a viable alternative. Okay, so you're thinking about asking your employer if you can telecommute. The question is telecommuting right for you?

The key to successfully working from home is to treat it just like you're going to the office without the drive. To be a successful telecommuter, you need to "mentally" go to the office. Start your day as you would if you were really going into the office. Dress comfortably, comb your hair, and prepare for the day. Set office hours for yourself. For example, you start at 9 a.m.; perhaps take lunch at noon for an hour; come back and work until 5 p.m.

One of the imperative things to consider with working from home is the importance of setting and sticking to a routine. You should take regular meal breaks just as you would in an office. And at the end of the day, you should shut down your computer and close the door to your home office.

Set aside a quiet spot in your home - perhaps a spare bedroom where you can close the door to eliminate distractions. Remind family members that you really are at work, and are not to be interrupted. Keep yourself on a tight rein. Don't become distracted by personal emails and telephone calls during your work hours. And, while it's tempting to clean the house while the kids are at school, save the chores for "off-duty hours", as well. If you are able to set up these regimens and stick to them, then you may be a good candidate for telecommuting.