Telework Friendly Properties
You can eliminate your residents' commuting problems and make your complex or community more attractive to potential tenants by promoting Telework. Fifteen percent of Arlington County residents currently telework and this percentage is growing exponentially. Offering a program like this can be very attractive to potential tenants (2006 Arlington County Resident Satisfaction Telephone survey.)
Telework, also called telecommuting, is an innovative commuting solution that reduces commute time and enhances employee flexibility by allowing employees to perform their business duties outside of the traditional office for one to five days per week.
Telework is becoming an increasingly popular option for many employees and employers. Currently, 42% of companies in the United States offer teleworking opportunities. Included in those 42% are 10.6 million employees that telework either part or full time. Another 19 million people in the U.S. telework at least once a month.
How can I create a telework-friendly community?
Many of your residents probably work for employers who already have telework programs. However, lack of access to basic business equipment may prevent your residents from working from home. Helping your residents work from home is easier than you may think. Providing access to the following key office components will make your community telework-friendly:
- High Speed Internet Access (Wired and Wireless) The most important step you can take to make your community telework-friendly is to provide access to high speed internet. Have your building or area wired for high speed internet or discuss bulk rates with a local internet provider and then offer these rates to your residents.
- Fax Access The ability to send and receive faxes greatly improves an employee's ability to work from home.
- Printer Access
- Copier Access
By providing access to the business tools above you can create a basic telework center. You can enhance your telework center and make it accessible to a wider range of residents by providing:
- Computer access
- Access to a scanner
- Access to more than one fax machine
- Access to more than one printer
- Office space for residents to reserve and use on a daily basis
How does promoting telework benefit my community?
Creating a telework-friendly environment benefits you in a variety of ways. A telework-friendly environment shows your residents you care about their biggest concern: commuting. By making it easy for residents to telework you'll not only add a new feature to your complex, you'll promote a lifestyle which creates more free-time for residents, encourages resident retention and generates word-of-mouth that leads to increased referrals.
How Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) can help:
At Arlington Transportation Partners, we want to help you give your residents an easy commute. ATP can help you establish a telework friendly environment by:
- Providing information about telework to you and your residents
- Working with Arlington County employers to encourage the implementation of telework programs
- Helping you spread the word in your community about the benefits of telework
For more information, contact Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) at 703.247.9299 (TDD: 711), solutions@transpartners.com, or request ATP's services by filling out this form.