23 Working Remotely Statistics and Trends – Business Scribble

The Virtual Office Place: Productive Or Disruptive?

There was a study recently conducted by uSamp surveying 1,000 professionals from a business panel. It asked them to share their feelings about working remotely. Key decision makers from companies of different sizes from different industries – everything from retail to tech – shared their thoughts.

The study identifies factors that motivate employees to go to the office versus telecommuting. It also addresses opinions of face to face time. This offers a modern interpretation of productivity in a period where 42 percent of the work force is engrossed in social media networks. These findings may be surprising to some. 50% of the US workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least partial telework and approximately 20-25% of the workforce teleworks at some frequency.

Does your work place allow employees to telecommute? 65 percent said yes and 35 percent said no. Of those that said yes, 62 percent was a small company of less than 259 employees. 55 percent was a medium company of 251 – 500 employees. 69 percent was a large company of 501 or more employees.

Of those that said that their company does not allow them to work remotely, 38 percent were from a small business. 45 percent were from a medium business. 31 percent were from a larger business.

Out of those 65 percent that are permitted to work remotely, 27 percent do telecommute, 26 percent work in their office and 47 percent do a mix of both.

A mere 12 percent of education institution employees work from home. 70 percent of government employees work remotely occasionally.

What are the factors that motivate employees to go to the office? 47 percent say it’s just because it is expected of them. 23 percent say it is to have face to face interaction and socialization.

18 percent say they are more productive in the office. 9 percent like to be a team player. 3 percent go to work just to get out of the house.

67 percent agree that working remotely is productive. 7 percent say it is not and 26 percent are neutral about telecommuting.

69 percent say that telecommuting is liberating. 7 percent say it is not and 24 percent are neutral.

Employees had rather interesting feelings when it comes to feeling alone. 35 percent say working from home can be isolating. 34 percent say it is not isolating and 31 percent are neutral.

Clearly everyone has different opinions when it comes to telecommuting. Whether it is from home, the coffee shop or even at another job, working remotely can be fun and efficient. However, obviously, as this survey shows, it is not for everyone.