You desperatly head to your office (after getting stuck in traffic), where co-worker is waiting for you to tell you about her night on the town, and there's a fire drill, which leaves you to wonder if you'll ever finish your work!  Regular office interruptions and clock-punching behavior are just a few reasons why telecommuting increases productivity for the right candidate and boosts business in the long run. 

Less Time Away from Work

Any parent who works outside the home knows that the minute their child gets a sniffle, panic sets in.  They have to try to find someone to watch their sick child, or take the day off from work.  Most parents have to stay home with their children when they are sick, which greatly reduces productivity.  Telecommuting allows the parent to monitor her sick child, while continuing to contribute to the workday. Additionally, the parent can attend any school plays or activites without missing a lot of work.   

More Time at Work

If you don't have to get dressed and commute in your car to work, you can use that time to actually work! If you calculate that it takes you 45 minutes to get ready, and a half an hour to commute (on a good day), you could potentially be working that hour and 15 minutes. 

Reduces Socializing

Sure it's fun to stop in the break room for coffee with your co-workers, but it can cut into productivity.  Those who spend plenty of time at the water cooler end up having to stay late to finish tasks or work weekends.  Telecommuting has a tremendous impact on reducing regular office interruptions like socializing.  By working remotely, or from home, you can focus on the work at hand without having to politely chat with a co-worker.

Results Based Performance

Some companies shy away from allowing employees to telecommute because they worry that if they can't see the employee working, they aren't sure the employee is getting the job done.  In fact employees find more time to slack off at the office than at home because their job is being so closely scrutinized.  Employees who telecommute are typically measured on whether they deliver results.  For instance, if you are a writer, your editor will measure if your stories are well written and on or before deadline. 

Higher Job Satisfaction

The more trust you give your employees, the more invested they feel in your company.  Giving them their space and allowing them to be reviewed based on their performance increases job satisfaction (which impacts the employee's overall performance in the long run). People who are micromanaged throughout their day tend to resent their job and employer versus those who are given freedoms.  People who like their jobs and the company they work for want to perform and please, which ultimately increases productivity. 

 The next time you find yourself caught in a massive traffic jam on your way to work or watching the clock as one of your co-workers drones on about their night out, consider asking to try telecommuting.  It may make you a more productive worker!