Proposed Law Could Entice Employers To Let Workers Telecommute

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Sick of your commute? A proposed law could make working from the comfort of your home that much more likely.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, if you want to cut your commute down to zero a New Jersey lawmaker is here to help.

State Senator Kip Bateman introduced a bill that may entice business owners to let workers telecommute.

"I feel like the traffic around here for commuters is getting really difficult, so working from home, especially if you have a child, makes life easier," Bindia Shah said.

Personal vehicles, PATH trains, buses, taxis and bikes can all be found on a block near the Grove Street PATH station in Jersey City.

"It allows employers to give employees a break, gets them off roads, especially in a state like New Jersey where the commute takes hours lessens wear and tear on roads," NJ Sen. Kip Bateman (R-Somerset), said.

Bateman hopes to ease the congestion and wants to provide a corporate business tax credit equal to one percent of an employee's salary for the hours they do their job from home.

"It's good for the environment, cuts down on carbon emissions, and it allows employees to work from home. Many times it saves a lot of hours in a day because many times people commute one to two hours a day," Bateman said.

It would also save commuters money on gas and mass transit.

Many commuters in Jersey City said they would welcome the idea, because their PATH trains have gotten so overcrowded in the morning.

"Take pressure off systems like PATH," hair stylist Michael Angelo said, " I also think the more people stay in town the better it will be for our local business."

But would it hurt productivity?

"I would have to really discipline myself, but I think some people function better at home," Sydney Amigo said, "A lot of the time office spaces create a stressful environment."

Other states have had success with similar work from home policies, Bateman said.

Ohio passed a similar law, and Bateman said commuters in that state have driven about 2-billion fewer miles this year.