33.7 million teleworkers in 2008 – report
February 22, 2009
The number of U.S. employees who worked remotely at least one day per month increased 39 percent the past two years, from approximately 12.4 million in 2006 to 17.2 million in 2008, according to WorldatWork, the global human resources association that studies telework as a tool to attract, motivate and retain employees. In its survey brief Telework Trendlines™ 2009, WorldatWork reports that the sum of all teleworkers – employees, contractors and business owners – has risen 17 percent from 28.7 million in 2006 to 33.7 million in 2008.
Key findings of the report include:
- The number of employee telecommuters in the U.S. increased 39 percent, from 12.4 million in 2006 to 17.2 million in 2008.
- The sum of all teleworkers – employees, contractors and business owners –climbed 17 percent from 28.7 million in 2006 to 33.7 million in 2008; 43 percent from 2003 to 2008.
- There is a shift away from full-time telework to occasional telework: the number of employed teleworkers who work remotely at least once a month grew while the number of those who work remotely almost every day decreased slightly.
- The most common locations for remote work are home (87 percent), a customer’s place of business (41 percent) and car (37 percent). Restaurants and libraries are becoming less common locations for telecommuting.
- 61 percent of employed respondents who are not currently working remotely but feel they could said they are unwilling to give up some pay in exchange for being allowed to telecommute.
To access a full copy of the survey report, visit www.workingfromanywhere.org.
