A growing number of American workers are reporting that their employers allow them to work remotely at least one day per month, according to a recent survey by WorldatWork.
For a Limited Time receive a
FREE HR Report "Top 10 Best Practices in HR Management." This comprehensive special report will give you the information you need to know about these current HR challenges and how to most effectively manage them in your workplace.
Download Now The survey found that 12.4 million workers reported that their employer allowed them to work remotely at least one day per month in 2006, up from 9.9 million in 2005 and 7.6 million in 2004. WorldatWork estimates that about 8 percent of American workers have an employer that allows them to telecommute at least one day per month.
The organization says the increase is likely the result of a combination of factors, including the proliferation of high speed/broadband and other wireless access (which has made it both less expensive and more productive to work remotely) and the willingness of more employers to embrace flexibility.
The survey found that the use of broadband Internet access has risen sharply in the last two years. The number of telecommuters using a broadband connection at home increased by more than 45 percent in the 2006 survey, following an even larger 65 percent rise in the 2005 survey.
"The current data suggests that technology is no longer a barrier to telework," says Rose Stanley, work-life practice leader at WorldatWork. "We estimate that 100 million U.S. workers will telework by 2010. The dramatic rise in telework will take place in part because more and more companies are realizing the cost benefits from telework and are viewing it as a tool to attract and retain employees."
You can find more information on the survey here.