OK I want some soapbox time. I recently filled up my car to the tune of $45 and my tank wasn't empty. Plus, I am lucky, I live 5 miles from work, all the shops and grocery stores I frequent are less than 5 miles away, and when I can swing it I telecommute. I also require my employees to telecommute as often as they can however it is not condoned by the company I work for. In fact, despite the fact that there is no reason why we cannot perform our jobs while working from home, my company wants me in the office and it's not the only company that feels like telecommuting is unacceptable.
Telecommuting has the potential to save money but it could help eliminate smog and the health consequences that comes with it as well as traffic congestion and we all know how our blood pressure rises when we are caught in traffic for hours. The environmental impacts could be enormous.
Currently the public is being asked to make all of the changes but I think the government needs to put more pressure on our employers. There are endless possibilities - telecommuting is probably the best but alternate work schedules could also help if it is impossible for an employee to telecommute. It's time to put the pressure on organizations to do their part.
Here are the links to writing your congressman and senators and
Other alternative are to gather a team of people who will work with Human Resources at our company and put a telecommuting/alternative work schedule process into place. It's time to think out of the box.....any other suggestions?
