This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

As Telecommuting Grows, Web Traffic Replaces the Road Kind

As many as 60,000 cars can be eliminated from the state's highways through telecommuting, according to ConnDOT.

Short of the transporter from Star Trek, most people need to drive, train, bike, walk or fly to work. Unless you are one of those who telecommute.

An increasing number of companies allow, and even encourage, their employees to work from either a satellite office or from home. And if a recent survey is correct, that number will rise in the next few years.

About 24 percent of telecommuters in the state live in Fairfield County, according to Telecommute Connecticut, which has operated as a commuter service of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. And 158,000 residents across the state work from home at least once a month.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Every telecommuter makes a difference,” says Telecommute Connecticut.

According to the DOT about 60,000 cars can be eliminated from the state’s highways through telecommuting. 

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Among the most widely affected professions are accountants, architects, economists, journalists, researchers, consultants, and stockbrokers.

Across the state from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford to Gregory & Howe in Shelton and Cannondale Financial in Wilton to the Pension Service in North Haven, more businesses are offering telecommuting as an option.

“Our industry is conducive to telecommuting,” said John Reyes, president of Cannondale Financial, which handles loans and mortgages. “Our closing agents can go to a client’s house with a laptop. It eliminates paper and travel.”

One-third, or 33 percent, of chief financial officers surveyed across the country said remote work arrangements have increased in the past three years, according to Accountemps, a temporary accounting, finance, and bookkeeping firm.

An alternative to traditional transportation, telecommuting can reduce highway congestion, reduce polluting emissions and save energy and gas, according to the survey.

“The prevalence of mobile technologies and wireless communication makes it easier for companies to support flexible work arrangements for their employees,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps. “Although not all positions are suited to remote work arrangements, for those that are, this option can help give professionals more control over their schedules and aid in recruitment and retention efforts.”

Of course some telecommuters miss the social interaction of the office, Reyes said. But it meets the needs of workers with long distance commutes, or those who may have young children coming home in the afternoon from school. 

“They appreciate the flexibility,” Reyes said.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?