Technological developments are fundamentally changing the concept of work-life balance, giving women (and men) new options for how to manage their time and fulfill a variety of responsibilities.  

An estimated 2.8 million Americans (not including those who are self-employed) consider their primary place of work their home.  That means that more than 2 percent of employed Americans are working for pay, but work outside of the typical office, factory, shop, or other business environment.  

Yet this statistic fails to fully capture the prevalence of telecommuting today.  The Telework Research Network estimates that a far larger share of Americans at least periodically use the freedom to telecommute.  

The appeal of telecommuting is clear.  According to the U.S Census Bureau, the average American spends 50 minutes a day traveling to and from work.  Those lost hours could otherwise be spent working productively or enjoying life with family and friends.  Telecommuters save this precious time, as well as the money that regular commuters must put toward gas or for public transportation.

Not surprisingly, many more Americans than just those who are currently telecommuting would be interested in such an arrangement.  Perhaps that’s why an increasing number of employers are allowing for telecommuting as a way to attract talented employees.  And for women, this flexibility and the technologies that have made it possible are truly life-changing devices, allowing women to better balance their desires for both work and family life.