NUMBER OF TELEWORKERS INCREASES BY 17 PERCENT

National Survey Shows 1 in 5 Americans Choose Teleworking

WASHINGTON—The number of employees who telework in the United States increased to 28.8 million, for a jump of almost 17%, during the past year. An overwhelming majority of these teleworkers are more satisfied with their jobs, are more productive and feel more loyal to their employers.

Those are among the key findings of an annual survey conducted by the International Telework Association and Council (ITAC) and sponsored by AT&T. The survey explores both the business and human factors of current telework practices and provides helpful insights for businesses and other organizations looking to meet the need for new or expanded telework programs for their employees.

“This year’s survey broadens our definition of teleworking and confirms that it’s a winning situation all around,” said John Edwards, President of ITAC. “Employees achieve a greater balance of work and family life, employers gain the benefits of lower overhead costs and increased productivity, and all of us continue to reap the rewards of less traffic congestion and pollution.”

An Expanded View of Teleworking

Approximately 28 million, or 1 in 5 U.S. employees participate in some form of teleworking – at home, on the road, in telework centers or in satellite offices. Most work on the road (24.1%) or from home (21.7%). A smaller percentage work at telework centers (7.5 %) or at satellite offices (4.2%). Most do multiple forms of teleworking, with more than 42.4% saying they combine working at home with some other form of teleworking.

“Telework has evolved beyond the pioneering telecommuters of the 80s,” said Chuck Wilsker, Executive Director of ITAC. “It appears to be entering the mainstream practices of today’s workforce.”

The typical teleworker works at least one full day per week away from the traditional office environment, lives in the northeast or western regions of the U.S, has a college education, is 35 to 44 years of age and married.

Teleworking is most often found at either a very small or very large company, with teleworkers holding a managerial or sales position and earning $40,000 or more annually. Teleworking is most common within real estate, management of enterprises, and the information industries.

Teleworkers Are More Productive, More Satisfied, More Loyal

More than two-thirds of teleworkers express greater job satisfaction. An overwhelming majority (almost 80%) feels a greater commitment to their organization and most say they plan to stay with their employer. Notably, almost three-quarters of at-home teleworkers reported a major increase in productivity and work quality.

“Our internal research validates the findings of increased productivity and job satisfaction among teleworkers,” said Dr. Brad Allenby, AT&T’s Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety. “According to our employees, the increases are a result of access to high-speed connections, an improved ability to concentrate and a better balance between work and family responsibilities.”

Teleworkers Redefine the Balance of Work and Family

Almost twice as many teleworkers as non-teleworkers say they work before and after normal work hours or on weekends. But they also are more likely to say that working at home interferes less with other activities in their personal life. Equally as interesting, teleworkers report that their families also experience less conflict and an enhanced quality of life.

Edwards added that “the blending of our personal roles in life, combined with our use of multiple types of telework, is becoming a big benefit of teleworking. It is making it possible for employees to be where customers need them to be to get the job done.”

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Methodology: The research – conducted between July 30 and September 10, 2001 - consisted of 1170 telephone interviews, representing a national, randomized sample, geographically representative of U.S. households. The Social Science Research Center (SSRC) at Old Dominion University conducted all interviews.  The SSRC used a pool of randomly generated telephone numbers to identify households throughout the United States.  Random-digit dial methodology ensured the inclusion of households with unlisted telephone numbers.  The pool of numbers was purged to remove business numbers. The sample of telephone numbers was stratified to represent the U.S. population for each U.S. Census region of the country. The sampling unit was household, which makes the findings comparable to results reported by the U.S. Census.

To obtain a copy of the report’s executive summary or a complete survey report, please call ITAC at 202-547-6157, or send an e-mail request to [email protected] For more information about ITAC, please visit our Web site at www.workingfromanywhere.org

The International Telework Association and Council (ITAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the economic, social, and environmental benefits of telework. The ITAC mission is to serve as the primary resource for telework information, education, standards, and advocacy.