Employee personal and professional development is now seen by many organizations as a crucial component of employment. Employees who have a favorable view of their organization's development prospects are far more likely to be engaged workers, perform effectively on the job, and be happy when they get home if they have a positive perception of their employers' progress prospects. According to Gallup research, employees with a good outlook on their employer's developmental possibilities are significantly more likely to be engaged.

Whether it is formal or informal learning, employees are expected to learn constantly in order to stay competitive. There is no question that companies need to invest in employee development if they want to stay competitive. But what many CEOs don't realize is that employee development doesn't have to take place exclusively at work. In fact, developing employees at home can be just as effective - and sometimes even more so.  Here are four suggestions for accomplishing this:

1. Provide employees with more flexibility.

Many workers tell surveyors that their employers' unwillingness to provide remote work options keeps them from working longer hours. For example, one out of five Americans say they would be willing to work 10 percent longer if given the chance to do so without anyone knowing about it, and another 27 percent would go as far as to work 20 percent longer.

2. Make learning more convenient.

Some workers find it challenging to develop their skills on their own because they are unable to take time off from work or pay for training programs out of pocket. There are many fantastic online learning alternatives available today. These individuals may access internet tools from the comfort of their own homes, allowing them to work while learning. Employers should also consider giving financial assistance and online learning resources to assist employees in investing in their own professional development.

3. Build a stronger, less stressed workforce.

According to the Families and Work Institute's National Study of the Changing Workforce, nearly two-thirds of employees who work outside the office say that developing new skills at home makes them feel more valued by their employers. In addition, these workers are 20 percent more likely to have received a raise or a promotion in the last year.

4. Provide employees with a better work-life balance, which can boost productivity and happiness at home and at work.

Employees who work from home often have a more positive experience in general. In fact, 80 percent of telecommuters feel that remote work makes it easier to manage their personal lives and only 10 percent feel that remote jobs affect their family life negatively.

In conclusion, employees who develop new skills at home are both happier and more productive. They also tend to be more satisfied with their jobs overall - not to mention the benefits they derive from a better-balanced work-life schedule. Making these types of opportunities available will allow companies to create stronger groups of satisfied employees and may lead to improved business results in the long term.