US home-working boom could cross the Atlantic
A home-working boom, which occurred in the US in 2007, could be about to hit the UK.
Figures from WorldatWork's Telework Trendlines report showed that 29 million Americans worked from home at least one day a month, a 63 per cent rise since 2004.
The data equates to around eight per cent of the US workforce working remotely and the trend could be set to sweep across the Atlantic to the UK.
The advances in technology over the last five years have made it more cost effective and efficient for UK businesses to offer employees the option of home-working.
WorldatWork working life practice leader Rose Stanley agrees believes home-working is now a viable option.
"Current data suggests that technology is no longer a barrier to telework," she said.
"We estimate that 100 million U.S. workers will telework by 2010.
"The dramatic rise in telework will take place in part because more and more companies are realizing the cost benefits from telework and are viewing it as a tool to attract and retain employees."
VoIP and broadband have opened up the market meaning that employees working from home can be just as, or even more, productive than their office based counterparts.
-Ends-
About Us