Reta Lew: The Benefits of Teleworking
By: Samantha Maurice
For Reta Lew, family and extra-curricular activities are a first priority, which was her motivation to begin teleworking in September 2017.
With new advancements in telecommunications and computer technology, the ability to work from home has become a reality. Gone are the days where hardworking parents are unable to attend their children’s extra-curricular activities or miss out on important family milestones due to sitting in gridlock traffic.
Teleworking can be done on a full-time, part-time or occasional basis, with some companies even operating entirely by telework. By teleworking once a week, and twice a week in the summer, Reta quickly noticed its benefits:
---
“It was more for time management due to an extracurricular activity I signed my son up for, which started pretty much right after work.
For the amount of time that would normally be spent sitting in traffic, dinner was getting prepared.
No need to sit in traffic, save gas, save time, no need to hunt for a parking spot.
Walk up a flight of stairs into my home office and back down the stairs when I’m done work, the fastest travel time ever!
Faster than Superman changing in a phone booth!”
---
Reta’s experience with telework is just one of the many benefits that teleworking can present for workplaces and their employees. According to a 2014 poll conducted by EKOS Research, 33% of Canadians would choose to work at a company that offers telework rather than receiving a salary raise, and 43% would quit their job to work somewhere that allows them to telework. BGIS, Reta’s employer, has a policy and guidelines in place that encourage workplace employees to telework:
---
“[BGIS has] an eight page telework policy. Some of the guidelines state: The workspace must be adequate for performance of the Team Member’s official duties. The Team Member shall maintain this workspace in a safe condition, free from hazards and other dangers to the Team Member and equipment. Company is not responsible for operating costs, home maintenance, or any other incidental cost (e.g. utilities, insurance, etc.). Although there are no incentives to telework, saving time and greenhouse gases is well worth the incentive.”
---
For many employers and employees, teleworking can have significant benefits: employers save money on parking facilities, office space, equipment and training, while employees are more efficient and save money thanks to a reduction in commute time, and they obtain a better life-work balance. With fewer interruptions and less absenteeism, teleworking continues to offer choices for workplaces and their employees.
Telework success drives a stronger company culture and creates a supportive environment for employees thereby allowing teams to work more effectively and efficiently. Flexible hours, compressed work weeks, and switching your start and end time can also reduce gridlock, clean the air and decrease your stress level. Whichever method you choose, make it the best method for you and your needs. And if teleworking is what best fits your needs, check out these great tips that Reta has provided:
---
“You need a good internet plan and have to be willing to pay for the extra utilities you will be using while at home rather than at work.”
---
Smart Commute Markham, Richmond Hill would like to thank Reta Lew from BGIS for submitting her teleworking story.