It seems like a lifetime ago that the COVID-19 pandemic began, with the labour market changing at an unprecedented rate since March 2020. While some uncertainties remain, the work environment has changed permanently, and so have the perceptions on remote work.
Employees and employers alike have seen the many benefits of working remotely, so now is the right time to look at how working from home and remote jobs have and will change the landscape of the job market.
Here we look at how the choice of location and work environment is affecting career opportunities, work life balance, and the notion of business as usual.
Find work from home jobs here.
Remote working Statistics
Many in office employees transitioned temporarily into remote work as countries told employers that office workers must work from home wherever possible, to achieve social distancing. Many employers quickly realised that the remote workers have higher productivity, meaning your temporary move to remote work may become more permanent.
In a study conducted in 2021, seventy percent of companies who were forced to use a remote workforce said they were now considering moving their office based workers permanently onto a hybrid model. In fact, many employers had already made the switch.
Another study resulted in remote work statistics that suggest many workers were also eager to continue working remotely fully or partially on a hybrid model. Remarkably, 97% said they wanted remote work options post COVID-19.
The writing appears to be on the wall; remote work is here to stay.
Remote work boosts employee retention
Remote workers appear to experience higher job satisfaction, and as a result, are less likely to leave their current employer. Employers should take note that almost sixty percent of employees said they would look for a new job if they were told they could not continue working remotely.
Almost of half of those asked, said they knew at least one person who had or is planning to quit their job because management was asking them to return to the office. The benefits of remote work are so astounding that many job seekers said they were considering applying for job postings paying ten to twenty percent less for the luxury of working remotely.
Conclusion; any business looking to retain its top talent should offer work from home flexibility.
Remote workers have a better work life balance
Research shows that the working environment plays a significant part in affecting employees’ mental well being. Some employees have missed face-to-face interactions with their office co workers, but almost three quarters said permanent remote work would have a positive effect on their mental health.
While employees mental health was generally improved, workers still sited the greatest mistake businesses made during the COVID-19 was not offering mental health support. In particular, existing inequalities, such as women’s burden for childcare, increased during the pandemic.
Remote work statistics show hybrid employees, working partially at home and partially in the office, experienced the best mental health.
Conclusion; having workday flexibility coupled with mental health support improves wellness and the work life balance.
Remote workers are good for business
Businesses and managers have known for decades that they lose a percentage of an employee’s time to office distractions. Research shows that remote employees do not have the same distractions, creating increased productivity to the tune of up to forty percent.
During the pandemic, businesses have noticed this as one of the many advantages of remote employees, with more than nine out of ten in the survey stating equal or better productivity.
More than two thirds of remote employees said they experienced few interruptions, a quieter and more comfortable work space, and more focused time. Away from their co workers, many employees also said they were able to avoid office politics.
While many companies thought the opposite would happen, working remotely increases employee productivity.
The environmental impact of remote work
Remote work has affected the world and environment, reducing air pollution, improving water quality, and slowing deforestation. Research suggests that a shift of four million employees into fifty percent remote work would equate to removing 600k cars from the roads, which would help lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Conclusion; by managing resources such as paper, heating, and lighting, remote employees have the ability to protect the environment.
Remote work isn’t favourable everywhere
Just as location affects employees’ average salary, where they live affects remote working popularity. For example, employees have greater concern of remote work where internet costs and electricity costs are higher. Poor internet access and a smaller home square footage and no dedicated office space also raises concerns.
If you are concerned about working remotely, we recommend reading Do Work From Home Jobs Pay Less? The article explores benefits and disadvantages, including remote workers’ pay and job satisfaction. Our article Earn More Working From Home, takes on the topics of remote work costs and the benefits and resources for employers.
Is the future job market remote?
A study and survey of companies identified that the total number of work days conducted from home would triple at the end of the pandemic. In 2019, companies said that ten percent of their team worked from home one day a week. Post-pandemic, companies expect ten percent of their workforce to work from home five days a week.
It is unlikely that all workers will become work from home employees, as for many jobs this would be impractical. For example, employment in healthcare, construction, transport, and logistics often requires workers to attend the companies’ facilities.
However, employees have the ability to work from home in jobs such as marketing, information and communication technologies, and advertising.
One significant change for companies advertising jobs is to state if the role is possible on a remote basis.
FAQs
Here we answer the most frequently asked question by employers and employees considering a move to a remote workforce.
Is remote working effective?
Work from home and remote jobs are generally popular with both companies and employees. Productivity, happiness, and mental wellbeing all improve, so the future of the job market appears to be with workers who are fully remote or those with a hybrid work week.
Find your work from home job
If you are looking to work remotely, you can find UK WFH job postings in the following business sectors:
