"Technological advances, economic considerations and the promise of augmented efficiency have elevated working from home from a novelty to a reality," said Steve Koenig, CEA’s director of industry analysis. "Employees believe their performance is enhanced and their quality of life improves. It’s a mutually beneficial proposition for employers and employees."
Teleworking also represents a significant market opportunity for the consumer electronics industry. More than half (53 percent) of today’s teleworkers plan to spend an average of $925 over the next year on technology products, creating a potential market opportunity of nearly $19 billion for the CE industry. According to the CEA study, teleworkers are often purchasing their own technology equipment required to work from home. Only a third (34 percent) have access to an employer-provided computer or other IT technology at home and less than a third (31 percent) have access to an employer-provided communication device, such as a phone or fax machine.
"As more workers take advantage of teleworking opportunities, the demand for in-home technology products will only increase," said Koenig. "However, the CE industry can do more to encourage and grow the telework market through innovation and the development of new products geared toward home office use."
The increasing number of teleworkers has benefits for the environment as well. CEA research has shown that a single day of telecommuting saves between 16 and 23-kilowatt hours of electricity or the equivalent of up to 12 hours of an average household’s electricity use. One day of telework also eliminates the need for 1.4 gallons of gasoline and reduces CO2 emissions 17 to 23 kilograms. A worker with a one-way commute of 22 miles, commuting five days a week, will also save about 50% of the annual electricity consumption of the average household by working from home one day each week.
