New report reveals state of telecommuting

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A recent Workshifting.com report highlighted new research revealing that widespread support for telecommuting policies is currently limited to only a few industries, with many companies still hesitant to rely on the practice.

The Telework Research Network recently revealed that although 61 percent more of employees considered their home as their primary work location in 2009 compared to 2005, only 2.3 percent of the American workforce telecommutes.

Workshifting.com's Sharlyn Lauby cited a separate study by WorldatWork, which said that the overall number of telecommuters has slowed between 2008 and 2010. The news provider conducted its own poll regarding the working model and found that, although the results indicated slight growth, economic uncertainties may be inhibiting expanded adoption.

"There are some obvious advantages to telework, but if businesses haven't been able to attach a dollar sign to them, then workshifting may still be considered a 'nice to have' versus a 'cost-effective solution,'" wrote Lauby.

Lauby added that telecommuting simply may not be desirable for every worker and it is possible businesses cannot support a mobile workforce.

One advocate for the practice is Office of Personnel Management deputy chief of staff Justin Johnson, who recently told FederalNewsRadio.com that organizations should let their employees telecommute because of its flexibility and it can help companies save on real-estate costs.