Catherwood LibraryILR School

According to a recent report by FlexJobs, telecommuting in the US workforce has grown significantly in the last decade. Since 2005, the number of US workers doing at least half of their work outside of their office increased by 115%. The report additionally found that over half of the jobs in the US are telecommute-compatible, meaning telecommunication has room to grow and is likely to do so. Telecommuters earn more than their non-telecommuter counterparts, as they save money on transportation, lunch, and workplace clothes. However, it is viewed more as a privilege than a widespread policy, as managers decide which workers will be allowed to telecommute. Although some employers remain unconvinced of their workers’ ability to maintain productivity at home, the potential savings and benefits to the environment from decreased commuting may sway them.