Telecommuting Skews Affluent

Here's a reason to doubt telecommuting as a silver bullet for congestion in growing regions: most people don't have the option.

1 minute read

July 13, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


workspace

Mike McCune (mccune 934) / Flickr

Sarah Kessler takes the ongoing debate about telecommuting from home (after linking to opinions on either side of the issue) a step further, by bringing up an under-reported point about the demographics of remote work: it's an "option (some would say obligation) disproportionately given to wealthy, well-educated workers."

In fact, "[l]ess educated, poorer people are much less likely to have the option (or the mandate) to work some hours from home," adds Kessler, citing recently released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The article includes more detail on the findings of the "American Time Use Survey" for 2016, as released on June 27, 2017.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017 in Quartz

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

15 minutes ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company