Some telecommuting (work at home/remote working)  statistics (mainly for  the US economy).  More than 2% of the US workforce or  about 3 million people telecommute.

http://undress4success.com/research/telecommuting-statistics/

http://www.worldatwork.org/waw/adimLink?id=31295&from=presshome

http://www.workingfromanywhere.org/

Savings when you work from home – http://www.inc.com/staff-blog/2010/02/going_virtual_b.html

Unlike a conventional office job,  your looks or how you dress do not determine your success when you telecommute, your skills and knowledge of  your area of specialization matters.