The added advantage of telecommuting is that it is one of the more coveted employee benefits sought by job candidates today. In addition to health insurance benefits and a competitive compensation plan, new recruits are seeking flexible work-life balance benefits that complement the lifestyle they want to lead. Another key consideration is that working from home is considered a "reasonable accommodation" by the American Disabilities Act. According to Global Workplace Analytics, 316,000 disabled employees regularly work from home.

As for whether this workshift initiative enhances job performance, a WorldatWork study found that companies offering a strong culture of flexibility had a lower rate of voluntary turnover and higher employee satisfaction, motivation and engagement. Citrix Research reports that about one third of "knowledge workers" work from home, and 83 percent of companies will have adopted some form of mobile workstyle program by 2014. Citrix also reports that:

• Mobile workstations have reduced unscheduled absences by 63 percent – if an employee is set up to work from home, he can work while a sick child is home from school or even if he himself is sick
• 80 percent of companies with mobile workstyles have experienced cost-related benefits
• 90 percent of workers who enjoy flexible work styles are happier – which can lead to higher engagement, productivity, loyalty and less turnover
• Employers that offer flexible workstyle programs have half the turnover rate of those that don't
• 72 percent of job candidates will choose employers with flexible benefits over those that don't
• Thanks to less spending on commuting and work wear, the average telecommuter saves about $4,500 a year

Who makes a good mobile workstyle employee? Global Workplace observes that the typical telecommuter is 49 years old, college educated, and a salaried non-union employee in a management or professional role. 75 percent of employees who work from home earn more than $65,000 and tend to work for larger employers. The firm projects that the number of regular telecommuters will total 4.9 million by 2016 – a 69 percent increase from today's level.

In recent years, work-life balance benefits have become more ubiquitous among compensation and benefit packages, significantly changing employer practices, policies, programs, and employee benefit plans as a result. These trends indicate that, when it comes to employee benefits, people want to be viewed and treated as people – not workers. People with complex family lives, competing priorities, and multiple demands on their time. Time has become a more precious commodity than money, and something candidates may be willing to negotiate for less compensation.

Work is what people do. It's not who they are. The most coveted job candidates today are likely to choose employers that recognize this by offering flexible mobile workstyle benefits.