Changing Offices to Save on Commuting Costs

With gas now well over four dollars a gallon, driving to work is getting expensive and many Americans are looking for cheaper ways to commute. That's sparked new interest in telework...working at another office that's closer to your home.

Sandy Shaffner is one worker taking part in the "telework" boom. Instead of burning gas in traffic, two days a week, Shaffner works at an office just five miles from home and says goodbye to her 22-mile, hour-long commute. Shaffner works in one of 14 Washington D.C. area telework centers set up by the federal government to bring jobs closer to workers. "We offer work stations, big cubicle with a telephone, fax machine, scanners," explained center manager Jill Wathen.

119,000, or roughly six percent, of federal employees telework. Private companies can rent space at the federal centers as well, or at one of the many private telework centers popping up around the country.

Kiplinger estimates 100 million employees will telework by the year 2010.

Still, convincing employers can be tough. Many worry about accountability and morale among co-workers. Companies who've tried it report teleworkers are 20 to 50 percent more productive. AT&T claims telework saves them $100 million a year.

So, how do you convince your boss? Human resource expert Peter Ronza says the key is to do your homework, then make your pitch.