The International Telework Association & Council completed a study this year that covers the growth and characteristics of telework in the United States. Here are some of its key findings:
- There are 16.6 million regularly employed teleworkers in the United States who work at least one day a month and are at least 18 years old.
- About 9 million U.S. workers telework at least one day a week. In 1995, according to FIND/SVP, there were 8.5 million teleworkers. While 9 percent of U.S. workers telework, 41 percent believe their jobs could be performed in their homes.
- While a few years ago most teleworkers worked for small- to medium-sized organizations, half now work for organizations with at least 1,500 employees.
- Of all teleworkers, 54 percent are employees, 13 percent are contract workers, 9 percent are operators of home-based businesses and 27 percent are self-employed teleworkers.
- The highest proportions of teleworkers are in the New England, Mountain and Pacific states.
- Males make up 65 percent of the home-based work force. The average teleworker is in his or her early 40s, slightly older than the average nonteleworker surveyed.
- Four out of five teleworkers commute to work on days they are not telecommuting. Their average commute distance is 19.7 miles, vs. 13.3 miles for nonteleworkers.
- One out of every five telecommuters reports that his or her direct supervisor is in the same state.
How to reach: International Telework Association & Council, www.telecommute.com
Ray Marano
