Microsoft ‘Work Without Walls’ Report: U.S. Telework Trends 2011 Prepared by Ipsos Public Affairs May 2011

Microsoft ‘Work Without Walls’ Report:U.S. Telework Trends 2011Prepared by Ipsos Public AffairsMay 2011

2

Methodology» The Microsoft Remote Working Study was conducted using an online

interviewing methodology.

» Interviews were collected from February 27 to March 10, 2011.

» The study was conducted among 4,523 information workers across the U.S. with a particular focus on 15 greater metro areas – Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

Phoenix, AZ

Denver, CO

Dallas

New York, NY

Boston, MA

Los Angeles, CA

Detroit, MI

Philadelphia, PA

» With a sample size of n=4,523, results are accurate to +/- 1.46% when tested at the 95% confidence interval.

» The survey averaged approximately 12 minutes in length.

Seattle, WA

San Francisco, CA

Washington, D.C.

Minneapolis, MN

Houston, TX(Throughout report some single response questions may not equal 100% due to rounding.)

3

Executive Summary» The majority of information workers surveyed nationwide (57%) say their

company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.–Among the 15 markets surveyed, the proportion of information workers reporting a

formal policy allowing employees to work remotely varies from 64% in Dallas and Seattle to around 50% in Los Angeles and Detroit.–Nearly two-thirds of information workers in financial services (64%) say their company

has a remote working policy, more than in manufacturing (58%), professional services (55%) or retail/hospitality (45%).

» On average, information workers nationwide say they work remotely only about half as many days as they would prefer.–Nationally, information workers, on average, say they would prefer to work remotely

almost 9 days a month, but say they actually do so only about 4 days a month.–Among the 15 markets surveyed, the number of days information workers say they work

remotely varies from 4.7 days a month in Atlanta and 4.5 days a month in Phoenix, to 2.6 days a month in Detroit.

» Information workers say their peers are more supportive of remote working arrangements than their bosses or managers are.– 45% of information workers nationally rate their peers as supportive of remote working

arrangements (rating of 8, 9 or 10 on a 10 point scale), compared to 37% of information workers who rate their boss or manager as supportive.– Peer support for remote working varies across market from 54% giving it a high rating in

Atlanta to only 37% in Chicago.

4

Executive Summary (continued)» Information workers nationwide cite a better balance between work and home

priorities and eliminating a long commute as the primary reasons to work remotely.– The need to complete unfinished work is the third most common reason.

» More than three quarters of information workers (77%) say their company provides access to technology support for working remotely.–Access to remote technology support varies from a high in San Francisco (81%) and

Atlanta (80%), to 72% in Chicago and Los Angeles.

» Information workers top two pet peeves with colleagues working remotely are inability to speak face-to-face and lack of a quick response.

» Social networking tools, both public and internal, are used by a substantial portion of information workers for collaboration at work.– 43% of information workers use public social networking tools to collaborate on work

with colleagues.– Even more information workers, 47%, use internal social networking tools to collaborate

with colleagues, while 26% use internal social networking tools to collaborate with customers or vendors.

5

Key Findings – National

Primary Reason for Working Remotely (n=2,087)

Boss Supportive Peers Supportive

24%10%

39%45%

37% 45%Supportive (Top 3)Neutral (Mid 4)Not Supportive (Low 3)

7%

36%

57%YesNoDon’t know

ActualPreferred

3.6

8.6

Formal Policy Allowing Remote Working at Company (n=4,523)

Average Days Per Month Working Remotely (includes 0) (n=4,523)

Remote Working Arrangements – Boss/Peer Support (n=4,523)

Pet Peeves of Colleagues Working Remotely (n=4,523)

Cannot speak face-to-face

Lack of a quick response

Background noise

Believe they do less work than those in the office

Lack of focus

Difficulty communicating with individual

Lack of accountability of individual working remotely/missed deadlines, etc.

43%

30%

27%

26%

26%

20%

19%

Tasks Unable to Perform Remotely (n=2,604)

Make phone calls from your computer

Participate in video conferences

Easily determine if a colleague is available or in a meeting

CRM/ERP access or updating

Collaborate online and in real-time with colleagues on documents, presentations, etc.

Instant message

Access or update financial management systems

39%

28%

17%

17%

14%

13%

12%

Better balance work/home priorities

Eliminate long commute

Need to finish work I can't get done at the office during the day

Be more productive than in the office

Have fewer distractions than in the office

Save gas

19%

16%

13%

11%

8%

7%

» More than half of information workers surveyed across 15 metropolitan areas say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, information workers surveyed across 15 markets prefer to work remotely about 9 days a month, but say they do so only 4 days a month.

» 45% of information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements and 37% say their boss is. » Information workers cite a better balance between work and home priorities as the most important reason to work remotely.

6

Key Findings – Atlanta

Formal Policy Allowing Remote Working at Company (n=301)

Average Days Per Month Working Remotely (includes 0) (n=301)

Primary Reason for Working Remotely (n=159)

» Nearly three in five information workers surveyed in the Greater Atlanta area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Atlanta information workers prefer to work remotely 10 days a month, but say they do about 5 days a month.» More than half (54%) of information workers in Atlanta say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while only 39%

say their boss is.» Atlanta information workers cite eliminating commute time and greater productivity as the primary reasons to work remotely.

22%8%

39%

38%

39%54%

Supportive (Top 3)Neutral (Mid 4)Not Supportive (Low 3)

7%

34%


ActualPreferred

4.7

10.3

Commuting




Office environment

Work in a less stressful environment

Spend more time with family

34%

18%

16%

13%

8%

3%

2%

Remote Working Arrangements – Boss/Peer Support (n=301)

Pet Peeves of Colleagues Working Remotely (n=301)



Background noise



Lack of focus


42%

28%

28%

26%

23%

23%

23%

Tasks Unable to Perform Remotely (n=199)


Video conferences




Access financial management systems

Instant message

38%

24%

21%

17%

17%

16%

13%

7

Key Findings – Boston


» Three in five information workers surveyed in the Greater Boston area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Boston information workers prefer to work remotely about 8 days a month, but say they do so only 3 days a month.» 46% of Boston information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 42% say their boss is.» Information workers in Boston cite eliminating a commute and better work/home balance as the primary reasons to work remotely.

20%9%

38%45%

42% 46%Supportive (Top 3)

Neutral (Mid 4)

Not Support-ive (Low 3)

8%

31%


ActualPreferred

3.1

7.6

Commuting




Office environment



30%

19%

11%

10%

9%

3%

3%









Lack of focus

Background noise


44%

35%

31%

25%

23%

22%

20%



Video conferences



Instant message


Acces financial management systems

40%

32%

17%

16%

14%

12%

12%

8

Key Findings – Chicago



29%15%

37%48%

34% 37%


7%

41%


ActualPreferred

3.3

8.5

Commuting


Office environment





23%

23%

15%

13%

12%

5%

2%







Lack of focus


Background noise


Cannot collaborate on documents and presentations

41%

33%

29%

27%

25%

21%

18%

» More than half of information workers surveyed in the Chicago metropolitan area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Chicago information workers prefer to work remotely about 8 days a month, but say they do so only 3 days a month.» 37% of Chicago information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements and 34% say their boss is . » Information workers in Chicago cite a better balance between work and home priorities as the most important reason to work remotely.



Video conferences


Collaborate online and in real-time with colleagues on documents,

presentations, etc.


Instant message


41%

30%

20%

18%

17%

16%

14%

9

Key Findings – Dallas


Commuting



Office environment




25%

15%

15%

13%

12%

5%

6%

5%

32%




23%11%

41%43%

36%46%


ActualPreferred

4.2

9.8






Lack of focus


Background noise



41%

32%

28%

28%

22%

21%

18%

» Nearly two-thirds of information workers surveyed in the Dallas-Forth Worth area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Dallas information workers prefer to work remotely nearly 10 days a month, but say they do so only 4 days a month.» 46% of Dallas information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 36% say their boss is.» Dallas information workers cite priorities at home and the need to complete unfinished work as the primary reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences




Instant message


38%

37%

20%

17%

17%

16%

15%

10

Key Findings – Denver


Commuting



Office environment




27%

18%

12%

17%

13%

4%

0%

5%

36%




24%10%

37%42%


ActualPreferred

4.2

8.8






Background noise


Lack of focus



47%

27%

24%

22%

22%

18%

18%

» Nearly three in five information workers surveyed in the Denver metropolitan area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Denver information workers prefer to work remotely nearly 9 days a month, but say they do so only 4 days a month.» 48% of Denver information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements ,while 40% say their boss is.» Information workers in Denver cite priorities at home and eliminating a long commute as the primary reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences



Instant message


Make sales calls

35%

25%

15%

14%

14%

13%

13%

11

Key Findings – Detroit


Commuting



Office environment




30%

19%

14%

14%

11%

4%

1%


24%11%

40%47%


7%

43%


ActualPreferred

2.6

7.1






Background noise



Lack of focus



37%

31%

29%

27%

23%

21%

15%

» Nearly one half of information workers surveyed in the Greater Detroit area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Detroit information workers prefer to work remotely 7 days a month, but say they do so less than 3 days a month.» 42% of Detroit information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 36% say their boss is.» Information workers in Detroit cite the need to finish work, eliminating a long commute and better balancing work/home priorities as the

main reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences




Download video

Access internal sites such as Sharepoint

44%

29%

23%

18%

17%

15%

15%

12

Key Findings – Houston


Commuting

Office environment






30%

19%

14%

13%

8%

5%

1%


28%9%

35%

45%


7%

41%


ActualPreferred

4.0

9.4






Background noise


Lack of focus




41%

30%

28%

25%

21%

19%

18%

» More than half of information workers surveyed in the Houston metropolitan area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Houston information workers prefer to work remotely about 9 days a month, but say they do so 4 days a month.» 46% of Houston information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements while 38% say their boss is.» Information workers in Houston cite eliminating a long commute, balancing work/home priorities and finishing work they can’t get done

at the office as the most important reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences




Collaborate online and in real-time with colleagues on documents,

presentations, etc.

Download video

43%

35%

22%

19%

16%

15%

14%

13

Key Findings – Los Angeles



27%7%

41%

53%


8%

43%


ActualPreferred

3.3

8.5







Lack of focus

Background noise




41%

26%

26%

25%

23%

20%

17%

» Half of information workers surveyed in the Greater Los Angeles area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, L.A. information workers prefer to work remotely about 8 days a month, but say they do so only 3 days a month.» 40% of L.A. information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements while only 32% say their boss is. » Information workers in L.A. cite balancing home and work priorities at home and the need to complete unfinished work as the main

reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences



Download video

Access internal network files


39%

31%

28%

19%

14%

14%

14%

Commuting




Office environment



31%

15%

14%

12%

11%

7%

2%

14

Key Findings – Minneapolis


Commuting




Office environment



25%

22%

16%

13%

12%

3%

1%


22%10%

41%48%


12%

31%


ActualPreferred

3.2

8.5








Lack of focus

Background noise



49%

29%

27%

26%

25%

21%

16%

» Nearly three in five information workers surveyed in the Greater Minneapolis area say their company has a policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Minneapolis information workers prefer to work remotely over 8 days a month, but say they do so only 3 days a month.» 42% of Minneapolis information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 37% say their boss is.» Minneapolis information workers cite priorities at home, the need to complete unfinished work and eliminating a long commute as the

main reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences




Instant message


42%

25%

16%

13%

12%

12%

12%

15

Key Findings – New York


Commuting





Office environment


26%

24%

12%

11%

6%

5%

4%


27%11%

40%

47%


6%

39%


ActualPreferred

3.5

7.4






Background noise


Lack of focus



40%

32%

31%

30%

28%

18%

17%


» More than half of information workers surveyed in the New York metropolitan area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, New York information workers prefer to work remotely about 7 days a month, but say they do so less than 4 days a month.» 42% of information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while only 33% say their boss is.» New York information workers cite a better work/home balance and eliminating a long commute as the main reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences




Download video

Instant message

35%

23%

18%

13%

13%

13%

11%

16

Key Findings – Philadelphia


Commuting



Office environment



27%

20%

17%

12%

7%

4%


26%13%

36%45%


9%

37%


ActualPreferred

3.2

7.9







Lack of focus


Background noise



42%

32%

29%

28%

26%

21%

19%

» More than half of information workers surveyed in the Philadelphia area say their company has a policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Philadelphia information workers prefer to work remotely about 8 days a month, but say they do so only 3 days a month.» 43% of information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 38% say their boss is.» Philadelphia information workers cite balancing work/home priorities and the need to complete unfinished work as the main reasons to

work remotely.



Video conferences


Download video

Instant message



39%

33%

23%

18%

17%

13%

12%

17

Key Findings – Phoenix



Commuting

Office environment





24%

23%

15%

11%

9%

4%

2%


26%12%

33%43%


7%

31%


ActualPreferred

4.5

10.0






Background noise

Lack of focus





43%

33%

30%

30%

21%

20%

16%

» More than three in five information workers surveyed in the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area say their company has a policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Phoenix information workers prefer to work remotely 10 days a month, but say they do so about 5 days a month.» 46% of Phoenix information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 42% say their boss is.» Information workers in the Phoenix area cite balancing work/home priorities at home as the primary reason to work remotely.



Video conferences


Download video


Access internal network files


35%

34%

15%

13%

13%

12%

10%

18

Key Findings – San Francisco


Commuting




21%

20%

9%

13%

12%

7%

4%


19%6%

42%50%


9%

32%


ActualPreferred

3.9

7.4







Background noise


Lack of focus



44%

36%

28%

26%

26%

26%

18%

» Three in five information workers surveyed in the San Francisco area say their company has a policy allowing employees to work remotely.» On average, S.F. information workers prefer to work remotely about 7 days a month, but say they do so only 4 days a month.» 44% of S.F. information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while 39% say their boss is. » Information workers in the S.F. area cite balancing work/home priorities at home and eliminating a long commute as the main reasons to

work remotely.



Participate in video conferences

Make sales calls




Access or update financial management systems

30%

24%

15%

15%

14%

12%

12%

19

Key Findings – Seattle



24%10%

40%46%


4%

32%


ActualPreferred

3.4

9.0








Background noise

Lack of focus



47%

28%

24%

24%

22%

22%

20%

» Nearly two-thirds of information workers surveyed in the Seattle metropolitan area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, Seattle area information workers prefer to work remotely 9 days a month, but say they do so only about 3 days a month.» 44% of information workers in Seattle say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while only 36% say their boss is.» Seattle information workers cite eliminating a long commute and balancing work/home priorities as the primary reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences



Work in a secure IT environment

Make sales calls


41%

23%

14%

12%

12%

12%

11%

Commuting


Office environment





32%

14%

14%

12%

11%

7%

3%

20

Key Findings – Washington, D.C.


Commuting



Office environment




34%

26%

10%

7%

9%

2%

4%


24%9%

40%

40%

37%51%


5%

37%


ActualPreferred

3.5

8.3







Background noise


Lack of focus



42%

29%

29%

28%

24%

20%

19%

» Nearly three in five information workers surveyed in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area say their company has a formal policy allowing employees to work remotely.

» On average, D.C. area information workers prefer to work remotely over 8 days a month, but say they do so less than 4 days a month.» 51% of D.C. area information workers say their peers are supportive of remote working arrangements, while only 37% say their boss is. » D.C. area information workers cite better work/home balance and eliminating a long commute as the main reasons to work remotely.



Video conferences


CRM/ERP access or updatingCollaborate online and in real-time

with colleagues on documents, presentations, etc.

Make sales calls

Instant message

45%

26%

16%

16%

16%

15%

14%

21

How many employees work at the company you are employed by?

1 - 25 employees

26 - 50 employees

51 - 99 employees

100 - 249 employees

250 - 1000 employees

1001 or more

9%

5%

6%

8%

15%

57%

Which of the following industries do you work in?

Firmographics

Financial services

Manufacturing

Retail

Insurance

Automotive

Information technology

Aerospace

Engineering

Consumer goods

Healthcare

Oil & gas

Chemicals & Processing

Construction

Consulting

Food service

Industrial

Law/legal services

Life Sciences

Real estate

Travel

Other

25%

15%

12%

8%

5%

5%

4%

4%

3%

2%

2%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

8%

Which department of your company do you work in?

Operations/ProductionFinance and accounting

SalesGeneral Management

Research and developmentMarketing

Human resourcesIT

LogisticsCustomer Service

EngineeringFacilities

LegalQuality

Other

18%18%

16%9%9%

6%4%4%

2%2%2%

1%1%1%

8%

22

What exactly is your job title?

ManagerEngineer

AnalystSpecialist

DirectorSales director/ sales manager/ sales coordinator/ sales assistant

AdministrativeVice President

Accountant/ Accounting ManagerAccount Executive

Client ServiceProject Manager

SupervisorConsultant

CoordinatorOther

16%9%

8%6%

5%5%

4%4%

3%2%2%2%2%2%2%

29%

How Many Personal Computers

1 to 24 PCs25 to 49 PCs

50 to 249 PCs250 to 499 PCs500 to 999 PCs

1,000 to 2,499 PCs2,500 to 4,999 PCs5,000 or more PCs

Not sure

9%5%

10%5%5%

8%6%

40%13%

Firmographics

Age

Under 25

25-34

35-49

50-64

4%

30%

38%

27%

Gender

Male Female Prefer to not say

45%54%

2%

Documents

Microsoft ‘Work Without Walls’ Report: U.S. Telework Trends 2011 Prepared by Ipsos Public Affairs May 2011