Is Remote Working Here To Stay

Are Working From Home Jobs Here To Stay?

Most companies and their employees have experienced some form of remote working over the past few years. Most people were working from home because of government restrictions and social distancing during the pandemic, proving that technology in a home office was more than capable of keeping employees productive. But, are working from home jobs and remote working here to stay?

In this blog, we explore work from home from the perspectives of employers, employees, and productivity.

Office workers may never fully return to the office

According to a new survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the BBC, three quarters of respondents say they think office workers will not return to the office at the same rate as before the pandemic. Furthermore, of more than five hundred business leaders surveyed, eight out of ten agreed that office workers will spend at least some of their time working from home.

However, business leaders did raise concerns with creativity and collaboration. Half said long term remote working would hinder these.

Do remote workers want to return to the office?

Do Workers Want To Return To The Workplace

According to a CIPHR survey, only fifteen percent of UK employees who were remote working during the pandemic want to return to the workplace full-time. Almost half who say they are expected to work remotely for the long haul, stated they would prefer to work in the office, at least some of the time.

Remote work is clearly popular with employees, and so much so, that 73% said they would accept a pay cut to permanently work on a fully remote basis.

Are you looking to secure a new job?

We recommend reading our article; How Can I Find Remote Work. You can also search work from home jobs here.

Do businesses want employees to return to the office?

Work From Home Employment Creates Higher Productivity

Passing more than two years into the pandemic, employers in the UK and around the world have had plenty of time to consider if they want their workforce to return to the office.

Some employers have expressed concerns about a loss of productivity. However, as we highlighted in our blog How Has Working From Home And Remote Jobs Changed The Landscape Of The Job Market, most employers have realised that remote working does the opposite and helps employees boost productivity.

Overall, businesses and employers appreciate that a lot of their talent wants to remote work, and are accommodating this. The most likely scenario for companies that will continue to allow working from home, is they will want workers to come into the workplace on at least a few days of the week.

The pros and cons of working remotely

Pros And Cons Of Remote Work

As with most things in life, there are benefits and disadvantages, and the same is true for remote working.

The benefits of WFH for workers and employers, include:

  • Flexible work hours - work early in the morning, in the evening, or at weekends if you prefer

  • No daily commute - save money on petrol, diesel, bus tickets, train tickets, and parking

  • Avoiding office politics

  • Higher productivity and fewer distractions

  • No geographical barriers for an employee or employer

The disadvantages for employers and workers, include:

  • A distributed workforce has the potential for less effective collaboration, creativity, and innovation

  • Loss of the workplace culture - no in-person meetings or company-arranged social gatherings

  • Less support from co-workers and managers

  • Work can encroach on home life - remote workers have a tendency to work longer hours

  • Home offices need kitting out with furniture and technology - will the company or the employee finance these?

  • Higher utility bills - including electric, internet, and heating bills

  • No access to perks such as free tea and coffee

  • Businesses may want to reduce your pay or introduce a geographical pay scale

Remote working conclusion

Working remotely appears to be favourable for all parties, however, a full or partial return to the office is most likely.

Are you searching for a new remote working job?

Discover the average salary for your role and be prepared for job interviews and salary negotiations.

Remote work FAQs

Here we answer your remote working and workplace culture frequently asked questions.

Do workers want to return to the office?

Each person has their opinion, however, most employees do not want to return to the office full-time. The future of the post-pandemic workforce is likely to be hybrid. A hybrid working model will see employees spend some days in the office and some days working from home or from the premises of clients and customers.

Do employers want workers to return to the office?

Some employers and business leaders will expect their entire workforce to return to the office, with concerns over control, creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

However, certain organisations are suited to remote working, such as marketing, advertising, software development, and tech companies. Post-pandemic, these companies will be more likely to embrace work from home, or for that matter, anywhere else in the world.

What are the pros and cons of remote working?

The pros of remote working include no commute, better work life balance, increased productivity, and no geographical barriers. Of course, their are cons to remote work and a recent survey highlighted a loss of creativity and collaboration as major concern of senior management, co-founder’, and founders.

Is remote working here to stay?

Technology has put businesses in the driver's seat, making it perfectly plausible for the entire workforce to be remote. For example, writing jobs could easily be undertaken by a person living and working at home. High paying jobs with a technical nature were often conducted from home before the pandemic and this trend is likely to grow. Highly educated workers and high earners are likely to find greater opportunities to work remotely.

Find remote working jobs

If you are hunting for work from home job openings, you can find remote and work from home job listings on the following pages:


About the Author: Jonathan Rawlins

Jonathan's insights reveal the undeniable impact of salary inclusions in job adverts on their efficacy. Noting the rarity of salary details in certain job types, he is resolute in providing candidates with market benchmarks. This determines their worth and offers a solid foundation during salary negotiations.



Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get notified of new blog posts from Check-a-Salary