June 1 marks Unofficial Work from Home Day

“Work is not a place you go anymore, it’s something that you do and increasingly something for many workers that can be done anytime and from anywhere,” said Gabriel Bouchard, President of Workopolis.

The job search website is behind Canada’s Unofficial Work From Home Day on June 1.

Last November, the website got the attention of the Canadian Parliament. Now, just ahead of the unofficial telecommuting day, a recent poll found that nearly nine-in-ten (88 percent) of Canadians believe that there should be government support for a nationally recognized day, with over half (52 per cent) strongly agreeing.

In a separate Omnibus study, Quebec and Atlantic Canada were found to be the most in favour of government support for a National Work From Home Day (80 and 79 per cent respectively). While the Prairie provinces were less likely to want government involvement, the majority surveyed still support the initiative (66 per cent for Manitoba/ Saskatchewan and 65 per cent for Alberta).

Working from home is better for the environment, says Workopolis (Click to enlarge.)

Working From Home Works for Many

• The U.K.’s sixth annual WorkWise Week culminated with a National Work from Home Day on Friday, May 20, 2011 with approximately 5.8 million people telecommuting on their designated day. Not surprisingly, Canadian workers were even more vocal in their support for the Canadian campaign (91 per cent) upon hearing this news.
• Four in ten (43 per cent) of Canadian workers said their current employer encourages working from home.
• Telework success stories include Calgary, which just completed its 2^nd annual WORKshift Week (April 18-22, 2011); Ottawa which recently announced City Hall would invest $20-million over four years to introduce a telework program for almost 2,000 of its workers and the province of Quebec, which has launched a new program that ‘certifies’ employers that meet standards for encouraging work-family balance – telework being one of those programs.

Workers, Employers and the Community all Benefit

The most commonly perceived personal benefit of working from home for Canadian workers is cost savings, says Workopolis. Greater flexibility, which includes aspects such as choosing which hours to work, working on their own terms and reducing stress, was the second most popular benefit for workers. This was followed closely by the ease of caring for others (a pet, children, an ill or disabled family member or an elderly parent). Nearly nine in ten (88 per cent) of those who work from home at least once per week agree they are more productive. There are many fewer distractions when working from home.

The argument for working from home extends beyond the worker with the top benefits for employers being greater access to qualified employees, increased employee productivity, improved image of the company as a flexible employer and increased employee retention and potentially even reduced operating costs for things such as rent and transportation.

Greater access for workers with disabilities/health issues, those nearing retirement, with family responsibilities and with accessibility challenges are ranked as top societal benefits, and these will become increasingly important as the labour market tightens. Environmental benefits due to less pollution also ranks highly.

“High gas prices, growing concerns for the environment and a desire for greater work-life balance, are coming together to create the perfect storm for a remote culture for Canadian workers,” said Bouchard. “Smart employers will have this on their radar. With a looming labour shortage it is becoming increasingly important for employers to set themselves apart to attract and retain top talent.”

When asked what the likelihood of switching jobs if given the option of working from home, nearly three of every four (73 per cent) Canadians said they would seriously consider it. And if presented with two job opportunities with all other things being equal, 88 per cent said they would chose the one offering the option to work from home.

Cutting a commute could send us to the moon. (Click to enlarge.)

Tips for Talking with the Boss:

With secure technology, trust and clear policies in place it’s never been easier for Canadian workers to work remotely. But four in ten (43 per cent) don’t know how to raise the topic with their employer. Here are some tips for getting the conversation started.

1. Have a game plan – Do your research and find a good time to have a sit-down meeting with your supervisor. You want to ensure you have their full attention.
2. Money talks – Studies show that there are many savings that can be realized by having staff work from home occasionally. Show her/him that this can have an impact on the company’s bottom line.
3. Know who you’re talking to – How you raise the issue is just as important as what you’re saying. As you would for any presentation, make your pitch tailored for the right person to make a compelling argument.
4. It’s business - Everyone has personal reasons for wanting to work from home (family, pets, etc), but remember your boss is running a business, so make it a business case, not personal.

Does your organization have work-at-home options? How do you think workers’ productivity levels fare when they work at home? Share your comments below in the Comments Section.

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