A recent industry survey claims that workers who telecommute are more productive and healthy, and more likely to stay with their current employer.

The study, carried out by the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), followed some 212 professionals in various industries, including IT, government services, education and telecoms.

Two-thirds of the respondents experienced greater productivity from employees working full-time or part-time from home.

A third said that they were able to hire better qualified employees through the lure of telecommuting, while 39 per cent reported better staff retention levels.

The study also found that a quarter of the participants believed that the reduced stress of not having a morning commute improved their overall health, while 18 per cent felt safer not having to brave busy motorways on their way to work.

"With 'anywhere' connectivity, faster broadband options and high-quality video and online conferencing choices, the opportunity for virtual offices is greater today and more affordable for businesses of all sizes and types," said CompTIA president and chief executive Todd Thibodeaux.

The productivity and environmental benefits of telecommuting have long been used as a selling point. The health and loyalty benefits, however, could prove a new weapon for work-at-home advocates.

But security remains a concern. Remote workers usually operate outside the corporate network, and administrators cannot easily track their activities and enforce security policies, increasing the risk of attacks and data leaks.