More Americans Working Remotely

More American employees are working from home at least one day a week—a trend that could lower companies' costs and boost productivity.

Some 13.4 million people, or 9.4% of U.S. workers, labored at least one day at home per week in 2010, compared with 9.2 million people, or 7% of U.S. workers in 1997, according to one Census Bureau report. While the spread of communications technology is making it easier for workers around the world to work from home, for some critics, home-based work evokes images of employees dawdling in their pajamas. Giving further fodder to critics, home-based workers are more likely to work from home on Fridays and Mondays, potentially extending their weekends. Also, many jobs benefit from workers having face-time with colleagues; chats between colleagues can boost productivity by unleashing new ideas. But some research suggests allowing people to work from home can raise productivity.