Is the Telework Bill Relevant?SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CitrixOnline, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc., and the TeleworkResearch Network estimate tax payers could save $15 billion a year basedon Telework Research Network’s Savings Calculator as a result of theTelework Enhancement Act of 2010 (H.R. 1722), passed by the House ofRepresentatives on November 18.
Telework Research Network’s Research Calculator leveraged the staggeringcosts of lost productivity from federal workers during last winter'ssnowstorms to determine the potential savings. The estimated $71 milliona day lost by the government from federal workers not being able to workfrom their offices would pay for the five year cost of a telecommutingprogram (estimated by the Office of Personnel Management at $30 million)in just one snow day.
Currently, 61 percent of the federal workforce holds atelework-compatible job. Telework Research Network estimates that ifthose eligible to work from home one day a week did so - approximately79 percent according to a recent Federal Telework Study - significantbenefits for government agencies, federal employees and the nation couldresult.
For government agencies,
- Workers’ productivity could increase by over $4.6 billion each year - equivalent to 26,000 man years of work
- $850 million in annual real estate, electricity, and related costs could be saved (based on a 5% reduction and General Service Administration’s cost estimates)
For federal employees,
- $800-$2,700 per year savings in transportation and work-related expenses (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics and other data)
- 114 million gallons of gas per year could be saved collectively (based on Environmental Protection Agency data)
For the nation,
- Almost 6 million barrels and $465 million in imported oil could be saved (based on EPA data)
- Greenhouse gases could be reduced by 1 million tons per year—the equivalent of taking 193,000 cars off the road (based on Environmental Protection Agency data)
Bernardo de Albergaria, vice president, general manager of globalmarketing and eCommerce of Citrix Online, said: “Citrix Online applaudslast week’s passage of the Telework Enhancement Act. We know through ourown experience that adopting flexible work practices, or workshifting aswe call it, brings tremendous benefits to an organization throughimproved productivity, lower costs and healthier, happier workers. ThisAct could create far-reaching benefits for the government and the nationas a whole, including greater flexibility for workers and incrediblesavings for Americans.”
Kate Lister, principal researcher at the Telework Research Network,added: “As President Obama has repeatedly professed his support fortelework and work-life balance, I have little doubt that this will besigned into law. While aimed at just the federal workforce, I think thepassage of this bill will send an important message to private sectorcompanies about the many benefits of telecommuting and other alternativework arrangements.”
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About Citrix Systems, Inc.
Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS - News) is a leading provider of virtualcomputing solutions that help companies deliver IT as an on-demandservice. Founded in 1989, Citrix combines virtualization, networking,and cloud computing technologies into a full portfolio of products thatenable virtual workstyles for users and virtual datacenters for IT. Morethan 230,000 organizations worldwide rely on Citrix to help them buildsimpler and more cost-effective IT environments. Citrix partners withover 10,000 companies in more than 100 countries. Annual revenue in 2009was $1.61 billion.