SAN DIEGO - U.S. businesses compatible with remote work could save almost $11,000 per employee each year if workers telecommuted an average of 2 1/2 days a week, a new study says.

The report, from San Diego-based consultancy Global Workplace Analytics, also found that part-time employees could net an average of $3,000 per person per year based on lower costs for transportation, meals and work clothes.

That figure reflects the higher expenses associated with working at home such as home energy costs.

Richard Vogel, dean of the Farmingdale State College School of Business, said that the $11,000 in savings "sounds like a reasonable figure," though a remote workforce could require some companies to bolster IT services.

Employers' savings are based on factors including: increased productivity; reduced office costs, lower absenteeism, and reduced turnover, the report said.

For instance, the study estimated part-time remote employees devote an extra 26 minutes per day to work time by eliminating the average 55-minute round-trip commute.

The report also estimated that workers have fewer interruptions at home (43 minutes a day versus 78 minutes at the office).

The study assumes an annual cost per employee of $99,000 in salary, benefits and taxes. Based on a 15% increase in productivity over 125 workdays a year, employers would reap $7,430 per worker, according to the study released Tuesday.

The study also estimated that employers could save by trimming office space by 25%, a $1,935 annual savings per half-time remote worker.

Story Date: January 27, 2021