By Christine L. Romero
The Arizona Republic

The number of people logging into work from home is growing across the nation.

Once fueled by the dot-com explosion, telecommuting survived the economic downturn and thrived as companies try to save costs and employees seek a better balance between work and home.

Nationally, the number of daily telecommuters rose 17 percent, to more than 28 million last year, compared with the previous year, reports the International Telework Association and Council.

Lower costs for employers, lack of a commute for employees and easy high-speed Internet access are driving much of the trend.

The savings for employers can be significant. Management Recruiters International estimates that employers can save $10,000 per employee by reduced absenteeism and job retention costs. Experts say real estate costs can sink by as much as 25 percent.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona chose to allow some of its employees to telecommute. It cut $27,000 from its budget in decreased rent and other workplace costs.

"Office space is expensive, and that's not where we want our money to go," said Laura Capello, Big Brothers Big Sisters' vice president of marketing.

In a slow economy, it's tough for employers to find ways to compensate their employees without driving up costs. ITAC says offering this option is seen as a benefit that can save the employer money. Telecommuters report increased job satisfaction.

"I feel far less stressed, even though there's a fine line," said Scottsdale, Ariz., teleworker Sue Mitchell, a Cigna Healthcare business systems analyst.

Cigna has seen a 75 percent return on investment in the past five years for its nationwide teleworking program used by about 2,500 workers nationwide, said Lynne Kelley-Lewicki, the head of Cigna's "e-work" program.

It measures that in technology, real estate and other factors. Productivity is up 15 percent. Decreased turnover has saved $8 million, Kelley-Lewicki said.

"It's beginning to add up," she said.

Cigna also has areas in its offices dubbed "TouchDown" spots, which are offices for teleworkers.

Some bosses worry that somebody working from home will loaf and watch soap operas all day, but some telecommuters say they have just the opposite problem.

Mitchell, who has telecommuted for three years, gets so wrapped up in her work that she forgets to eat. She has had to set more firm boundaries in the past year about keeping her working hours under control.

"It takes about six months to figure out that you don't work for Cigna all the time," she said.

Because teleworkers typically are happier with their jobs, few want to switch to a new company. Such was the case for Terri Noll of Ahwatukee, Ariz., a communications specialist for Intel. She transferred within Intel and now reports to a boss in Oregon. Her production levels are the measure of her work.

"I'm a workaholic, but some people can't do that," Noll said. "They aren't disciplined. We all have things we have to deliver. If I deliver, then I am successful."

Noll used to try to pull the same hours when she worked in the office, but that left her feeling cranky and bitter.

"I don't mind if somebody calls me at 6 a.m. because I'm in my T-shirt, and I don't have to comb my hair," Noll said. "It's not like I'm watching the clock or somebody is watching me."