promoting a work-from-home paradigm
Riding the wave of concern about business continuity to make a needed change for the planet
What can a sustainability leader do to drive long-term change, keeping cars off the roads?
Make the case for a system-wide work-from-home program, spelling out the benefits (see a list below)
Explore a partial WFH program that allows for regular days at the office intermixed with days working at home each week.
Embed WFH metrics into the organization’s scorecard to maintain visibility and accountability.
Ask to join teams devoted to business continuity; collaborate with key leaders in operations and human resources.
Flip the paradigm; advocate that managers identify the days when teams come to the office (for example, every Tuesday).
Engage business units in setting aggressive WFH goals (for example, “On average, employees in relevant positions will work from home three days each week”).
Add working from home to the organization’s formal sustainability strategy.
Measure the potential for WFH and the extent to which the organization is meeting that potential; provide a scalable process for identifying positions that are appropriate for working from home.
Monitor working from home over time; measure the extent to which the new paradigm sticks or slips.
Implement a program to build WFH skills, so employees can work independently while using technology to stay connected.
Build systems to detect and prevent problems in working from home, identifying individuals, teams or business units that struggle with the paradigm; avoid “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
Potential Benefits of Working from Home
For the Organization
Maintain operations during disruptions, such as pandemics, storms, earthquakes, and other disasters.
Recruit talent from a wider area, reaching people who will not commute a long distance.
Retain talent that prefers to work from home.
Increase productivity by allowing employees to focus without interruption.
Reduce office space, energy and parking requirements as building leases expire.
Minimize increases in office space, energy and parking requirements as the organization grows.
Build reputation as an organization that cares about employees and the environment; generate positive PR.
For the Employee
Spend less time commuting.
Have more time to address personal responsibilities.
Work in a more peaceful environment.
Reduce wear and tear on vehicle.
Reduce fuel costs.
Enjoy periodic “quality” time at the office, using this limited opportunity to connect and collaborate.
For Society
Reduce pollution.
Reduce energy use.
Lower carbon emissions.
Reduce traffic on roads.
Lower transportation maintenance costs.
Slow investment in enhanced transportation systems.
Fewer automobile accidents, especially during inclement weather.
Safer working conditions for DOT crews.