The Benefits of Remote Work
The number of people telecommuting in the U.S. increased 159% between 2005 and 2017, according to data based on an analysis of American Community Survey data by Global Workplace Analytics and FlexJobs. The data shows 3.4% of the total U.S. workforce currently telecommutes, up from 2.9% in 2015. “Telecommuters/remote workers” refer to non-self-employed people who principally work from home at least half-time.
“Remote work has grown steadily since 2005 as more companies of all types—private, public, nonprofit, and startup—recognize the bottom-line benefits of integrating remote work into their business strategies,” says Sara Sutton, Founder, and CEO of FlexJobs. And Sutton expects that trend to continue due to “improvements to technology and increasing demands from employees in a tight labor market.”
Findings include:
- Between 2016 and 2017 remote work grew 7.9%
- Over the last 5 years, remote work has grown 44%
- Over the last 10 years, remote work has grown 91%
- 7 million people in the U.S. currently telecommute, up from 3.9 million in 2015
“Talent shortages are fueling the growth of workplace flexibility right now because not only is it one of the most sought-after benefits among job seekers today, it also expands the talent pool by allowing employers to hire the best and the brightest from around the world,” says Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics.
The 2019 Remote Work Statistics Report offers additional data around the value of remote work to companies, employees, and the environment.
Shutterstock photo or remote employee by GaudiLab
