Rethink Workplace Flexibility

With February 14-18 being National Telework Week, now's a great time to rethink your company's approach to workplace flexibility. The way we work is increasingly becoming more dispersed and mobile, with business spanning time zones and borders. It is estimated that the number of worldwide mobile workers will reach one billion by 2011, which includes nearly 75 percent of the U.S. workforce, according to David Clemons and Michael Kroth, authors of Managing The Mobile Workforce. At the same time, workers -- particularly younger generations joining the workforce -- expect a high degree of flexibility in how, when and where they work.

These drivers are creating a fundamental shift in the way we work, (we call it "workshifting" at Citrix). This is impacting every part of the economy, with enlightened leaders recognizing that there is a golden opportunity to improve productivity while reducing costs. A timely example is provided by the recent passage of the Telework Enhancement Act, which provides a new framework for federal agencies to support virtual workers, helping to accelerate change and expand telework opportunities for most federal workers. It is calculated that this shift in working practices could save taxpayers a staggering $15 billion a year, according to data by the Telework Research Network.

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