(NEW YORK) -- More and more Americans are working from home, according to new census numbers -- even though two high-profile companies are banning the practice, saying they want their employees to actually show up at work.

Ditching the commute is a workplace perk that 13.4 million Americans enjoyed at least one day a week in 2010.  The census bureau says that's 9.4 percent of the workforce, up from 7 percent in 1997.  

Amine Khechfe, co-founder of Silicon Valley software company Endicia, says it helps productivity.

"They're saving maybe two to three hours of commute time," Khechfe says.  

But it's the subject of a new debate: struggling companies Yahoo and Best Buy are changing their rules, saying all employees now must physically come to work.

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