Why Best Buy's employee parking lot is empty

My brother drives by the corporate campus of Best Buy. He has been wondering why, in the middle of the day, the employee parking lot at this huge complex, seems empty.  He heard the answer July 19 on NPR (thanks Robin!).

Best Buy is sending its employees home to work. They have discovered (yes, it's true) that telecommuters are more productive than office workers. Don Eliot of Baltimore also heard the story and sent NineShift the link (thanks Don!) to the NPR interview.

NineShift long ago predicted that around 2010 the Fortune 500 companies would start sending their workers home. Best Buy is one of those ahead of the curve. Do you know of any other corporations sending workers home or encouraging telecommuting?

Comments

[phoenix]

I was in the Cell phone Department today looking for an external charger for my cell phone battery (my phone no longer takes a charge internally). I found Hector and asked if Best Buy carried this product. He told me no, but instead of sending me away disappointed, he recommended me to try batteries plus. He even looked up the closest location, and remembering I do not have a phone, found me directions!

[Parking In San Francisco]

I was stopped in front of a building where you are not to park and received ticket. Rediculous!

[phoenix sky harbor parking]

They have discovered (yes, it's true) that telecommuters are more productive than office workers.

[Kris Diener]

Our virtual school (iQ Academies at Wisconsin) has sent our teachers home to work and found a lot of benefits. The teachers love the flexibility, are more apt to use former commuting time (and more) to work with students, and they aren't spending money on gas. In addition, we can spend our budget to provide curriculum, teachers, and equipment to students rather than spending it on maintaining a physical work space filled cubicles filled with teachers.

[Suzanne Kart]

It would make sense that a company that was a pioneer during the industrial age may have a hard time letting go.

I'm sure this tactic will make it REALLY hard for Ford to attract Gen X and Gen Y employees. But growing up in Dearborn, MI (where Ford World Headquarters is located), I doubt they even care. All my friends' dads worked at Ford, but none of my friends "from the old neighborhood" do. I can't think of a single person I know under age 40 who was able to "get in" at "Fords." (And I still live in Michigan).

[Terry Newman]

I recently heard from a former Ford employee, that Ford Motor Company is doing the exact opposite due to lower stock prices. They are requiring their employees be at their desks (not just in their building) for a major portion of each work day. I guess at Ford physical attendance = productivity.