Telecommuting or teleworking is an arrangement employers make in which employees work in a home-based office environment.  Many companies offer telecommuting as an alternative to a long, expensive commute; as  a way to improve productivity; or a means to reduce their carbon footprint.   However, there are are also companies in which there is no central place of work or headquarters office to reduce overhead costs.

Among the benefits to telecommuting are energy conservation, environmental preservation, improved health & safety, and employee retention.  (Photo: Shutterstock)