From the San Fransisco Chronicle
Tom Abate, Chronicle Staff WriterTuesday, April 22, 2008
An estimated 1.35 billion gallons of gasoline could be conserved annually if every U.S. worker with the ability to telecommute did so 1.6 days per week, according to a report released today by the American Electronics Association. "Fewer commuters on the roads means reduced fuel consumption, traffic congestion and air pollution," said Christopher Hansen, president of the association, the nation's largest high-tech trade group. And, he said, "It is a win for workers, who can reduce long commute times and strike a better life-work balance." The report suggests that 45 million Americans already telecommute at least one day a week. In addition to benefiting the environment and employees, "teleworking," as the association calls it, has advantages for employers. For instance, the association noted that when recruitment firm Robert Half International surveyed 1,400 chief financial officers, 50 percent said telework arrangements are the second-best recruiting inducement, after salary. One-third classified it as the best incentive.