Telework Enhancement Act Could Save Tax Payers $15 Billion a Year Say Citrix Online and Telework Research Network

Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc., and the Telework Research Network estimate tax payers could save $15 billion a year based on Telework Research Network’s Savings Calculator as a result of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 (H.R. 1722), passed by the House of Representatives on November 18.

Telework Research Network’s Research Calculator leveraged the staggering costs of lost productivity from federal workers during last winter's snowstorms to determine the potential savings. The estimated $71 million a day lost by the government from federal workers not being able to work from their offices would pay for the five year cost of a telecommuting program (estimated by the Office of Personnel Management at $30 million) in just one snow day.

Currently, 61 percent of the federal workforce holds a telework-compatible job. Telework Research Network estimates that if those eligible to work from home one day a week did so - approximately 79 percent according to a recent Federal Telework Study - significant benefits for government agencies, federal employees and the nation could result.

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 global marketing and eCommerce of Citrix Online, said: "Citrix Online applauds last week’s passage of the Telework Enhancement Act. We know through our own experience that adopting flexible work practices, or workshifting as we call it, brings tremendous benefits to an organization through improved productivity, lower costs and healthier, happier workers. This Act could create far-reaching benefits for the government and the nation as a whole, including greater flexibility for workers and incredible savings for Americans.”

Kate Lister, principal researcher at the Telework Research Network, added: "As President Obama has repeatedly professed his support for telework and work-life balance, I have little doubt that this will be signed into law. While aimed at just the federal workforce, I think the passage of this bill will send an important message to private sector companies about the many benefits of telecommuting and other alternative work arrangements.”

Related links

• Workshifting Benefits: The Bottom Line
• Workshifting blog: www.workshifting.com
• Twitter: @workshifting

About Citrix Systems, Inc.

Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) is a leading provider of virtual computing solutions that help companies deliver IT as an on-demand service. Founded in 1989, Citrix combines virtualization, networking, and cloud computing technologies into a full portfolio of products that enable virtual workstyles for users and virtual datacenters for IT. More than 230,000 organizations worldwide rely on Citrix to help them build simpler and more cost-effective IT environments. Citrix partners with over 10,000 companies in more than 100 countries. Annual revenue in 2009 was $1.61 billion.