Working remotely isn’t new, but the United States has never seen it at its current scale. The shift can benefit workers as well as employers and society at large — but there can also be costs. When those costs are financial, it’s important that the employer or the government covers the bill for remote workers.
As of October, just over 32 million Americans, or one-fifth, reported telework due to the pandemic, almost three-quarters between the ages of 25 and 54.
Prior to the pandemic, approximately 12 percent of the U.S. workforce worked from home for at least one full day per month. Although not directly comparable, as of October, about 32 million Americans, or one-fifth, reported telework due to the pandemic, and almost three-quarters of those workers are between the ages of 25 and 54. The shift might have been inspired by the coronavirus, but it’s almost certainly something this cohort should be prepared for going forward.