Telecommuters growing by the millions
Telecommuting is growing. Growing by the millions … and we’ve got the data to prove it.
The number of U.S. employees who telecommuted at least one day per month increased 39% over the past two years, from approximately 12.4 million in 2006 to 17.2 million in 2008.
The latest telecommuting statistics come courtesy of 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 also reports that the sum of all teleworkers, including employees, contractors, and business owners, has risen 17% from 28.7 million in 2006 to 33.7 million in 2008.
“Our study shows that occasional telework has risen dramatically,” said Rose Stanley, work-life practice leader at WorldatWork. “Employers seem more willing to try new ways of working. We receive calls on a daily basis from employers wanting to learn how to pilot a telework program, the do’s and don’ts of managing virtual workers, and how to use telework to reward and motivate talent.”
Read the full report.
The news may not be surprising, but it does put some hard data behind the workplace trend we have all come to know and love.
As businesses continue to look for ways to cut costs and the benefits of telecommuting continue to prove themselves to employers, it’s a trend that will only continue to grow.
I’m behind it, are you?
