What Is Teleworking?

You're not just saving time and money when you work from home. You're making history! Teleworking (a fancy way of saying "working from home") is one of the most revolutionary ways to do your job. It's also one of the oldest since people have been teleworking for centuries. Telework has existed since the invention of the telephone, but it started taking off in the 1980s when personal computers became more common in homes and offices. Today, most telework people have never even met their co-workers in person! That's okay because, with today's technology, it doesn't matter if you're across town or the world. With a phone line or internet connection and essential equipment like a computer and printer, you can be connected to your workplace anywhere. Different countries and contexts use two words that mean the same thing. In Europe, teleworking is a broader term for working remotely. In the US, it's more often used to work from home using telecommunications equipment or mobile telecommunications technology to work from restaurants, coffee shops or other public locations. When distributed work from an employer uses information and communication technologies to replace commuting, it is referred to as telecommuting; when it doesn't, it is referred to as teleworking. The benefits of teleworking are many, and they're waiting for you. Let's start with the obvious: less traffic means less congestion and overuse of the transportation infrastructure. You don't have to drive anywhere! You can stay in your pajamas all day if you want. You'll also be able to pick from a more diverse and talented pool of employees because people who are disabled or elderly or live in remote locations can now work from home. Plus, your business will reap the benefits of reduced spread of sickness and associated loss of work time and increased productivity. You'll save time not just by spending less time traveling but also by not having to pack lunches or buy coffee on the way to work. You won't even have to wear pants! That are just a few examples of how teleworking will save you time and energy and get you closer to living out your dreams as an entrepreneur.