Ever dreamed of changing your lifestyle, leaving the drab office environment and working from home? Studies have now shown that teleworking is not only good for your health, but can also increase productivity.

There are many attractions in working from home. For some it represents an opportunity to spend more time with the family while to others the lack of a commute to work.

Many people enjoy teleworking because it allows them to balance their time between work and leisure, not being tied to a regimented 9-5 working schedule.

Studies undertaken by Washington State University have shown that employers benefit from lower turnover; reduced hiring and training costs, reduced parking and office needs; decreases in sick and personal leave taken and increased productivity and morale.

Companies who have been monitoring staff under the study found their employees' productivity levels increased by 10-35 per cent. Perhaps the biggest obstacle in making the transition to teleworking is the culture shift in business practice.

Dee Christensen, director of Washington State University's telework program said, "Even in our information-based economy, people often times manage by thinking if you see them, if they're sitting at their computer and working away, they must be being productive".

Instead, she says, employers should focus on quantifiable measures, or 'deliverables', to assess how well an employee is doing a particular job.

She suggests that people who are new to teleworking have someone at work that can call them if urgent news breaks on a project. Christensen calls this the "Buddy System".

Teleworking has also enabled jobs to be created for non-traditional workers, for example new parents, people living in remote or countryside areas or the disabled.

The report also highlighted some changes in business procedures that should be adhered to, so teleworking would operate smoothly. For example, with conference calling, callers should introduce comments with their name, rather than traditionally raising their hand to join in.

Teleworking though isn't for everybody. There are many people who prefer the separation of the office and the home and some jobs just aren't suitable at all, for example tradesmen or client facing jobs.

Experts conclude that "marginal" workers shouldn't be sent home to work and that the employees who are most suited to teleworking are those who are self-disciplined and motivated. They also recommend writing up of a contract that covers the teleworking arrangement.

The article Working from home is good for you originally appeared on 999 Today