Mixed Results on Telecommuting Survey

An efficient alternative to the traditional office job or a productivity killer? Results from a recent CareerBuilder survey on telecommuting may bolster the arguments on both sides.

While nearly one-in-five (17%) Americans who telecommute at least part of the time spend one hour or less per day on work, 35% work eight or more hours: a major increase from 2007 when only 18% of telecommuters said they worked eight or more hours. Forty percent of telecommuters work between four and seven hours per day.

The national survey of nearly 5,300 employees shows that Americans are able to work from home on a more regular basis post-recession. Ten percent telecommute at least once a week: up from 8% in 2007.

Telecommuters are largely split as to whether time spent at home or at the office is more conducive to high-quality work. Thirty-seven percent say they are more productive at the office, while 29% report they are more productive at home. Thirty-four percent do not see a difference, stating they are equally productive at home and the office.

Although most offices have their fair share of productivity roadblocks, home is hardly a disturbance-free zone. Telecommuters say the following are the biggest distractions:

• Household chore: 31%
• TV26%
• Pet: 23%
• Errand: 19%
• Internet18%
• Children13%

For tips to help telecommuters work as efficiently as possible: http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=pr656&sd=9%2f15%2f2011&ed=9%2f15%2f2099&siteid=cbpr&sc_cmp1=cb_pr656_