by Brianna Crandall — February 12, 2016—Research just released by Global Workplace Analytics estimates a single snow day can cost Northeast region employers over $1.3 billion in lost productivity. That estimate is based on GWA’s research about who can, who wants to, and who already does work remotely in the District of Columbia, Philadelphia, New York and Boston metro areas.
Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, a research and consulting firm that helps employers understand the business case for emerging workplace strategies that are good for people, planet and profit, commented:
Winter storms are always a wake-up call for companies that haven’t adopted flexible workplace strategies. If people are already familiar with working remotely or telecommuting, when the weather stops traffic cold, they can keep right on working.
Estimates suggest more than 60% of employers allow workplace flexibility for some employees, although very few allow the majority to do so.
According to Global Workplace Analytics, nearly half of U.S. employees could perform much of their work anywhere there is an Internet connection, but less than 3% do so half-time or more (the only frequency tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau).
“Disaster preparedness is one good reason for the integration of remote work into an organization’s workplace strategy, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg,” says Lister.
GWA research shows a typical employer can save more than $11,000 a year for each half-time telecommuter — the result of a combination of increased productivity and reduced real estate, turnover and absenteeism.
“And flexibility is something employees are desperate for,” adds Tom Harnish, senior scientist at GWA. “Nearly 80% say they would like to work remotely at least some of the time. Not surprisingly, leading organizations are using it as an attraction and retention strategy.”
