Dive Brief:
- On average, approximately 5% of workers in each U.S. state work remotely, according to a map of the U.S. remote work job market released by job search site FlexJobs. Based on U.S. census data, the map indicates the percentage of workers that telecommute to the workplace in each state as well as listings of remote-friendly businesses, average commute times, and statewide policies and legislating governing flex work and remote work.
- Among the states, Colorado has the highest percentage of remote workers at 7.9%, whereas Mississippi rates last at 2.2%. Boulder, Colorado ranked first among cities with a percentage of 14.9%. California contains the highest number of remote-work jobs, whereas Hawaii has the least.
- U.S. workers have an average daily commute time of longer than 25 minutes, FlexJobs said, meaning workers could save up to 11 days per year on average just by working half-time from home. More than half (53%) of remote workers have attained at least a Bachelor's degree, and half are 45 years old or older. FlexJobs estimates the average person could save at least $4,600 annually by working remote.
Dive Insight:
Access to the office with technology has helped further the availability for employees to get their job done from almost anywhere around, but more workers are asking for the option to work remotely, even if only occasionally.
According to a report by video conferencing hardware company OWL Labs, 56% of global employers offer at least a hybrid form of remote work, if not a completely remote workplace. A separate study by Robert Half found 77% of workers would be more likely to accept a job offer if that position allowed them to telecommute for at least some of the time.
The demand for remote work and other forms of flexibility is there, but many employers have found extending work beyond the walls of the office to be prohibitive — be it due to cost or culture. HR may find managing an office without walls to be challenge, especially in terms of measuring performance.
HR may need to be prepared to adapt regardless of concerns; remote work is increasingly being viewed as a reasonable accommodation for certain common job types under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If employers offer flexibility in one context, it may be more difficult to withhold those options in another. But with structured policies in place, more companies could offer the option while ensuring that productivity and performance don't become casualties.