Decorated Shed News

Figures from the US Census Bureau released this week show that more Americans began working from home at the start of the 2000’s, with 11.3m - some 8% of the country’s working population - opting for home-based employment by 2005, the last year of which figures were available. The number jumped from 9.5m in 1999. Of those working from home, over 70% worked there exclusively, avoiding a central company office structure completely.

The statistics also showed that home workers were likely to be more productive than their office-bound counterparts, working on average 11 hours a day.

The rise of the internet and computer-based working, as well as advancements in communication technology such as video conferencing, email and instant messaging can be attributed to the growth of home workers, allowing more jobs to be carried out remotely. In terms of the job roles that are performed by those working at home, a quarter referenced in the US survey were described simply as ‘professionals’, with 22% in administrative or managerial positions, and 18% in sales - figures that underline the varied potential of a home office.

The flexibility of home working, particularly in a dedicated garden office, allows for a clearer work/life balance and as the US statistics show, a more productive output. This can be enhanced when working exclusively from home, as the increased productivity translates directly into increased profits from your work.