Most With Option to Telecommute Prefer to Drive

Americans’ love affair with the automobile is costing the U.S. economy $3.9 billion a year in fuel and time equal to 470,000 jobs, according to the 2005/2006 National Technology Readiness Survey (NTRS). The annual survey — sponsored by the Robert H. Smith School of Business’ Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland and technology research firm Rockbridge Associates Inc. — found that despite 25 percent of respondents citing supportive employer telecommuting policies or jobs that would allow work from home, only 11 percent are doing so.

"With national gas prices hovering near $3 a gallon, American workers could suffer less pain at the pump if they took advantage of workplace telecommuting policies," said Roland Rust, executive director of the Center for Excellence in Service. "In addition to saving billions of dollars to the economy, the time and money saved on a long commute — even just two days a week — could significantly increase productivity and employee satisfaction."

Full Story: http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=100192