| Primary effects |
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Reduced commuting time and distance [36], [94], [41], [61]
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Reduced traffic faced by teleworker due to flexibility of timing [36]
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Reduced office space and associated operating costs/energy [88], [11]
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Increased energy use at home for lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), and office equipment [85]
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Increased HVAC energy because it may condition entire homes during telework days because of centrally controlled HVAC [70], [83]
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Increased reliance on ICT for work-related communications and associated energy use/infrastructure
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More home office space required, which may mean larger homes and higher energy use [87], [116]
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| Secondary effects |
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Outward movement of teleworkers to suburbs allows non-teleworkers to live closer to work on average (e.g., through relaxed housing prices in urban cores) [65]
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Reduced traffic congestion resulting from fewer commuters means more efficient travel [86], [65]
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Improved energy efficiency behaviors at home because telecommuters pay for energy use at home (and not at work)
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Increased transportation energy because teleworkers opt to live further from their workplace and thus potentially further from amenities and in less transit-accessible neighborhoods [78], [84]
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Increased commute time and distance because teleworkers tend to live further from their workplace [103]
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Increased non-commuting trips for errands, etc. because teleworkers cannot integrate those into commutes [121], [105]
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Larger homes that are more affordable away from teleworkers’ central office and thus more energy for HVAC and lighting[65]
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Larger car given the (perceived) reduced cost of driving (due to less frequent commutes)
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Increased non-commute trips because household members have access to car(s) on days when the worker(s) work(s) from home [55]
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Teleworkers may obtain a second apartment [40]
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Need for redundant office equipment (e.g. personal computer, printer), which likely has phantom loads
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| Non-energy |
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Reduced commuting costs
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Improved employee recruitment potential (e.g., from further away or those who value flexibility) [7], [69], [44]
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Increased employee productivity (e.g., fewer disruptions, flexible hours, work during normal commuting time, work during peak productivity hours rather than normal work schedules) [118], [119], [120]
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Improved employee satisfaction means reduced turnover and absenteeism [88], [7], [69]
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Improved employee morale and sense of being trusted [7], [69]
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Less exposure to illness at work [29]
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Increased flexibility to avoid poor weather for commuting
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Increased personal time because of avoided commute [7]
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Reduced stress means lower health care costs [69]
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Improved family life [20], [46]
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Improved opportunities for child/elder care [19]
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Fewer barriers for employees with disabilities [42]
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Decreased formal clothing [43]
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Improved diet because teleworkers can make their own food at home during work [2]
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Decreased transportation infrastructure and parking cost [88]
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Reduced number of cars per household because of flexibility afforded [5]
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Reduced physical activity (e.g., shorter distances to walk)
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Increased employee perception of isolation, loneliness and lost camaraderie [7]
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Reduced access to resources/equipment [7]
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Downloaded office operating costs (e.g. electricity, Internet service, furniture) to the employee
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Increased difficulty to manage employees [100]
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Increased data security risks [107]
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Reduced reliability of network connection [35]
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Worsened social problems associated with urban sprawl [83], [65]
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Reduced visibility for employee [7]
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Reduced psychological benefits of commutes (e.g., adventure, independence, control, mental therapy, work-life separation) [76]
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