Work that already is centred around the computer and telephone is a prime candidate for telework. Information technology specialists such as software programmers and systems engineers might be able to telework. The possible range of jobs that can be teleworked goes far beyond this, and includes professional and management specialists such as financial analysts, accountants, public relations staff, graphic designers, and general managers. There are yet further applications of telework possible with recent technological developments. With imagination, huge numbers of jobs could be teleworked.
Teleworking gives a chance to reduce substantially the amount of office space needed.
A 1994 survey for British Telecom showed that City firms could save pounds sterling 21,000 pa for each senior manager teleworking. Other businesses will not benefit quite so much, but will still save thousands of pounds each year for every teleworker. Productivity is, on average, higher among teleworkers, with about half of employers of teleworkers reporting productivity increases, and only one in twenty reporting reductions. Studies also report an average reduction in days off 'sick' of two days per year. There is also a possibility of recruiting and retaining trained and talented staff that would not otherwise be available for employment.