While some experts in the Los Angeles Times predict remote workers could be the first to go if a recession brings on a round of layoffs, labor and employment partner Raymond Berti in New York cautioned that it’s too soon to know whether the burden of job cutbacks will fall on remote workers. He noted that companies have an inherent self-interest in keeping high-performing employees, whether they are in the office or not. In addition, offering people the ability to work from home has been a valuable tool in attracting and retaining talent, and remote workers can be useful in trimming budgets, as many live in lower-cost areas.

"Companies want to operate well, make money and keep people who do a good job," said Berti.