Nearly two in five employed U.S. online adults work from home at least one day a month, according to new research from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) ®. The Telework and the Technologies Enabling Work Outside Corporate Walls study also shows that most teleworkers plan to spend at least $925 over the next year on technology products to help them work from home.

Technology plays a central role in making teleworking possible. More than 38 million employed U.S. online adults, or 37 percent of the total U.S. workforce, work from home at least once a month. Employees say focusing on tasks without disruptions and running a business from home are the top reasons for teleworking. The top benefits include flexible hours, reduced travel time/costs and fewer disruptions/greater productivity. Ninety-eight percent of teleworkers use computer/IT technology (such as PCs or printers), 90 percent use communication technologies (like cell phones and fax machines) and 75 percent use CE accessories (including surge protectors or laptop docking stations).

“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.

Telework and the Technologies Enabling Work Outside Corporate Walls study (October 2009) was fielded in July 2009. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study for $699 at myCEA.CE.org.

CEA’s Steve Koenig will discuss the study and the benefits of teleworking in further detail in an exclusive webcast at 2PM (ET) on Thursday, October 29. To register for the webcast or for more information, please email Steve Kidera at skidera@CE.org.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

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