National Teleworking Week: Connected Nation surveys show who does, and doesn’t, telework

By Sarah Graham, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

This week is National Telework Week. At Connected Nation, we have been examining teleworking statistics in our programs across the country from Alaska to Texas to Puerto Rico.

On average, 16 percent of employed adults in Connected Nation states telework, or work from home during normal business hours instead of commuting. Minnesota has the highest percentage of employed adults who telework (20%), while only 4% of employed adults living in Puerto Rico telework.

In addition to teleworking, many individuals use broadband to work from home in different ways. One-third of Internet users (33%) report that they go online to work from home, either through teleworking, staying productive outside of normal business hours, or operating a business from their home. This includes 28% of minority Internet users and 26% of rural Internet users.

These numbers show that teleworking is a vital work option for many Americans. In fact, nearly half of Connected Nation’s staff currently teleworks. The telework option can help all sectors maintain their place in the American workforce.

On the heels of this week’s National Broadband Map release, we at Connected Nation are confident that these statistics will help confirm what we have known and have already shown — broadband coverage for all Americans provides work, life, school, and health opportunities that are endless.