Survey: 83% of U.S. Businesses Support Telecommuting

Eighty-three percent of U.S. enterprises (1,000+ employees) support telecommuting – that’s up from 54 percent in 2000, according to new data from Techaisle. That number is expected to increase to 93 percent by 2010, the research firm reported.

The United States is well ahead of the rest of world, which also is making steady gains. Worldwide telecommuting penetration among enterprises stands at 46 percent in 2009, more than double the 19 percent penetration recorded in 2000. It is expected to reach 55 percent in 2010.

Among midmarket companies (100-999) in the United States, telecommuting support is at 54 percent, up from 18 percent in 2000. It is expected to increase to 65 percent in 2010. Worldwide, midmarket companies increased support for telecommuting from 3 percent in 2000 to 15 percent in 2009 with forecasts for 19 percent in 2010.

Among U.S. small businesses (1-99 employees), telecommuting support has increased from 9 percent in 2000 to 32 percent in 2009, with projections for it to reach 39 percent in 2010. Worldwide telecommuting penetration among small businesses has gone up from 1 percent in 2000 to 12 percent in 2009 and is expected to reach 16 percent in 2010.

Telecommuting is defined as an arrangement by which an employer allows its employees to work from home at least 4-5 days a month. Satellite offices are excluded from the definition.