Performing physical and manual work activities
Performing general physical activities
Handling and moving objects
Controlling machines and processes
Operating vehicles, mechanized devices, or equipment
Performing complex and technical activities
Repairing and maintaining mechanical equipment
Repairing and maintaining electronic equipment
Work settings
Outdoors, exposed to weather
Outdoors, under cover
In an open vehicle or equipment
Job hazards
Exposed to disease or infections
Exposed to high places
Exposed to hazardous conditions
Exposed to hazardous equipment
Exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings
Body positioning
Spend time standing
Spend time climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles
Spend time walking and running
Spend time kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawling
Spend time keeping or regaining balance
Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls
Spend time bending or twisting the body
Environmental conditions
Sounds, noise levels are distracting or uncomfortable
Very hot or cold temperatures
Exposed to contaminants
Exposed to whole body vibration
Work attire
Wear common protective or safety equipment
Wear specialized protective or safety equipment
Miscellaneous variables
Inspecting equipment, structures, or material [2]
Performing for or working directly with the public [2]
Conflictual contact
Frequency of conflict situations [3]
Deal with unpleasant or angry people [3]
Deal with physically aggressive people [3]
Necessary computer/working conditions
Interacting with computers [4]
Indoors, environmentally controlled [4]
Spend time sitting [4]
Electronic mail
[1] As discussed in the main text, our revised classification or DFLP modifies that originally developed by Jonathan I. Dingel and Brent Neiman (“How many jobs can be done at home?” Journal of Public Economics, vol. 189, no. 2, September 2020).
[2] In the Dingel and Neiman method, an occupation begins in the “suitable for telework” category. If any of the preceding variables listed exceed the cutoff, the occupation moves into the “not suitable for telework” category. If no cutoff is listed, the method does not use the variable.
[3] For DFLP, the variable must exceed the cutoff value to be moved into the “not able to telework” category.
[4] For DFLP, the variable must exceed the cutoff value to remain in the “suitable for telework” category. Similarly, electronic mail must exceed the cutoff value in the Dingel and Neiman rules to remain in the “suitable for telework” category.
Note: Cutoff values represent a range, with 1 as “Not important at all” and 5 as “Very important.” A dash indicates that the variable is not used in ascertaining whether an occupation is suitable for telework. DFLP = Dey, Frazis, Loewenstein, and Piccone; O*NET = Occupational Information Network.
Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.