Report: Two of every five of workers telecommute

Once considered a novelty, telecommuting has now become mainstream, thanks largely to technology.

More than 38 million people, or 37 percent of the total U.S. workforce, work from home at least once a month, according to the report "Telework and the Technologies Enabling Work Outside Corporate Walls" released Thursday by the Consumer Electronics Association.

The CEA survey found that among telecommuters, 98 percent use computer technology, such as PCs and printers; 90 percent use communications equipment, including cell phones and fax machines; and 75 percent use accessories, such as surge protectors and docking stations.

Home workers cited the ability to focus on tasks without disruption and running a home-based business as the greatest incentives for working from home. Top benefits included flexible hours, reduced travel time, and higher productivity.

(Credit: Consumer Electronics Association)

"Technological advances, economic considerations, and the promise of augmented efficiency have elevated working from home from a novelty to a reality," Steve Koenig, CEA's director of industry analysis, said in a statement. "Employees believe their performance is enhanced and their quality of life improves. It's a mutually beneficial proposition for employers and employees."

Technology vendors have also benefited from the growth in telecommuting.

Only 34 percent of teleworkers can tap into their employer's computers and other technology from home, while 31 percent don't have access to an employer-provided cell phone or fax machine. As a result, more than half of today's teleworkers will spend on average $925 over the next year on tech products, said the report, driving more than $19 billion toward the consumer electronics market.

(Credit: Consumer Electronics Association)

The environment has been another beneficiary, the CEA said. The company's research showed that just one day of telecommuting saved between 16- and 23-kilowatt hours of electricity, equal to 12 hours of electricity use. That single day also helps at the pump, cutting out 1.4 gallons of gas on average and slashing CO2 emissions by 17 to 23 kilograms.

The CEA is a trade association comprised of more than 2,000 consumer electronics companies. The report was compiled by CEA Market Research, which surveyed 1,221 working adults online between July 22 and July 29.

[SteveW928]

" 37 percent of the total U.S. workforce, work from home at least once a month"

Is it just me, or is this hardly telecommuting?
It's kind of like saying, '95% of Americans subsist on beer and wine..... because they have one from time to time.'
The moment I read the headline, I knew something like this would be up with the stats. The majority of people work in jobs where this wouldn't even be possible.... and for the few were it would be technically possible, most companies greatly discourage it.
I'm sure it is on the rise... but in any reality I've seen, is still quite limited. The headline is INCREDIBLY misleading.

[lordmorgul]

At least one day a month. Wow... really? At least 12 days a year 2 out of 5 people work from home... but how much work do they do? Some do some, some do more, some do less. Not much to go by on here.

"The company's research showed that just one day of telecommuting saved between 16- and 23-kilowatt hours of electricity, equal to 12 hours of electricity use."

Really? This looks seriously suspect to me. While these workers are at home is their cubicle or office dark? Maybe, but probably not. Is their computer on or off? Lots of them probably have it on so they can access it remotely. While they are accessing work networks from home is their home office dark? Probably not. Is a computer running at home? Probably...
Working from home might save some electricity overall if the person works in a small company, but not if you're talking about a typical cubicle-bound tech worker.

When I'm at home my computer at work is on and my desk area is lighted, and I'm sure this is more normal than anyone would like to think.

[lordmorgul]

Oh goodness... the more I look at that survey the worse it gets. Only 1200 people surveyed and this is forecast out to a claim that 37 Million people do this consistently... overreaching a little bit? Yeah. Statistics only works in statistically large sets. Self-serving survey perhaps? Yeah.

[Happy2Help]

I have worked from home for more than 10 years. Big companies such as Hilton and AT&T are cutting costs by hiring home workers. Cable/phone and hotel companies usually hire home workers for customer service and tech support. Also, the TV shopping shows hire home workers to take calls. You just have to know how to find these jobs. Stay-Home-Income.com has a FREE list of hundreds of LEGITIMATE work at home jobs offered by well known companies. These jobs do NOT cost you money. They are employment positions. Good luck to all that are looking for employment.

[Chukwudi]

This is definitely where education is headed right now. Most teachers and administrators HAVE ti work at home in order to keep abreast with all administartive activites.

[cprachar]

I think that people often overlook the fact that broadband access has made telecommuting possible. Utilizing broadband has not only allowed more people to have the option to telecommute, but--as this article highlights--it also has a positive impact on the environment. October is Energy Awareness month, and as an employee of Broadband for America, I urge you to share how broadband has made your life more efficient: http://discuss.broadbandforamerica.com/forum/topics/energy-awareness-month