Their studies also include independent contractors, numbered at more than 8 million people by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is almost half of the entire telecommuting workforce. These are people that generally have no place other than home to base their professional efforts. And some estimates indicate that 60 percent of independent contractors are IT workers. These are occupations that may not have existed 20 years ago, when tracking of telecommuting began. So maybe the growth is not such a new workplace phenomenon.
Telecommuting is a by-product of technology, too.
Homes equipped with computers, fax machines, Internet access, and other electronic tools of trade has made conducting business anywhere other than an office a reality. That is a huge number. Perhaps a little forethought on the issue would be advisable before jumping into that telecommuting pool. The realities of telecommuting are hidden from the numbers. True telecommuting jobs are not the norm.