The Remote Work Boom of the 2020s

It is no secret that remote work has been the number one economic trend over the last several years. While many factors led to this boom, statistics have proven that most remote employees and remote teams prefer working from home in their favorite pair of sweats, at a coworking space alongside friends, or from their favorite coffee shop. 

A recent survey by Statista shows that 83% of employers and 71% of employees viewremote working as a success. Additionally, 44% of US workers say telecommuting has made it easier for them to get their work done and meet deadlines, ultimately bringing more work-life balance to their personal lives.

The overwhelming results prove higher productivity, job satisfaction, and lower absenteeism due to the autonomy, flexibility, and reduction of time spent commuting that comes with a remote work environment.

The overall outlook is that the cubicle farms are a thing of the past, with some companies owning or renting no office space at all. Working from your bedroom or your backyard is here to stay.

COVID-19 and Remote Work

COVID-19 has left its mark on every sector of society across the globe. Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic,71% of workers have been doing their job from home all or most of the time.

Even during a global pandemic and a world full of uncertainty, remote workers have proved that they can meet and exceed expectations. As a result, prioritizing flexible working options is a must if companies want to hire and retain a strong workforce that is happy, healthy, and productive.

The Great Resignation Explained

Although the pandemic brought about a rapid shift to remote work, many people also resigned from their companies. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of July 2021,4 million Americans quit their jobs.

Coined by Anthony Klotz, a management professor at Mays School of Business, The “Great Resignation” was something he was predicting would happen in May of 2021. 

There are many possible causes for this phenomenon. First, an unusually high number of older Americans retired at the pandemic's start.

The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed many to rethink careers, working conditions, and overall goals. Secondly, it has transformed how people approach what they want and expect from employers and workplace culture. Telework is now the golden work standard.

The global support of full-time remote jobs offered another unique chance for house-bond individuals or those unable to work in a traditional office to dive into their dream jobs with far fewer barriers.

Healthcare concerns continue to feed into the desires for remote working arrangements. Long-haul COVID symptoms and complications, along with the immunocompromised threatened by newly emerging variants, are also looking for a workspace that lets them work at home.

A remote workplace drives autonomy and reduces burnout, ultimately creating a better work-life balance in the long run.

In-Person Work Isn’t Always Necessary

The shift to remote work has given employees the ability to prove that their increased productivity has helped drive company profitability. It is undeniable that in-person work isn’t always necessary and may even hinder the bottom line.

When employees have autonomy and the self-responsibility to get their work done, the outcome is consistently favorable in most cases. 

For many industries, remote working was around long before the pandemic and will continue long after. It’s time for companies with high turnover rates to understand why and make the necessary changes to meet the demand. As the late Greek philosopher, Hippocrates once said, “Drastic times call for drastic measures.”

How Remote Work Differs From In-Office Work

Employees and employers alike have many differences and benefits regarding remote work versus in-office work. Picture conveniently chatting on video calls with your team instead of office meetings, hitting deadlines from the airport, instead of missing a flight to Mexico because you had to work late at the office.

This isn’t just an ideal work template for employees. Companies save money by not paying huge sums to rent large corporate office buildings. This is particularly ideal for startups that tend to have limited funds that need to stretch.

A More Flexible Work Environment

Simply put, remote work offers a more flexible working environment compared to a traditional office environment. Workers prefer having the ability to answer emails on the go, make lunch for their kids, or go to a doctor’s appointment in between meetings.

While all employers and employees need to establish precise working hours and boundaries between personal and work life, the overwhelming consensus is clear.

Holding Meetings on Zoom or Google Meet

A remote work environment makes team meetings a breeze when you can hop on and off Zoom or Skype calls from the comfort of your home. This is especially beneficial for remote companies with global teams. Video conferencing platforms have now made it possible for people from all over the world to gather virtually. 

Daily Check-Ins With Teams or Slack

With the plethora of collaboration tools,business software, and communication platforms available on the market today, it has never been easier to stay connected to your remote teams.

Whether checking in on their progress, sharing company announcements, or dropping a funny meme, tools such as Slack make communication between employers and employees simple. 

The Benefits of Working Remotely

Based on the studies and research, the results thus far have shown plenty of benefits when it comes to remote working. Read on to find out.

Lose the Commute and Get Your Time Back

The flexibility with remote work allows many people to reduce the stress of commuting while also saving time and money on gas (and fossil fuels). According to a Becker Friedman Institute of Economics study at the University of Chicago, working from homelowered Americans’ commuting time by 60 million hours per workday! 

Instead, remote workers can use that time and energy to boost focus and productivity and get more personal time, which can positively impact their mental health. For example, parents can spend more time with their kids in between video calls, and employees can go for a run on a lunch break or snuggle with their pup on the couch. 

Remote Workers May Be More Productive

94% of 800 employers surveyed by Mercer, an HR and workplace benefits consulting firm, stated thatproductivity was the same or higher than before the pandemic with employees working remotely.

When employees eliminate the daily stresses of getting to the office and balancing their personal lives, they have more time and energy to dedicate to their work. This increases productivity, employee engagement, and job satisfaction — a win-win-win situation. 

Freedom To Relocate

With the ability to work from anywhere comes the option to live anywhere. Some companies may require you to stay within the country or time zone, while others may offer free reign.

Studies consistently show that people value freedom and flexibility, resulting in a better quality of life. It would benefit employers greatly if they want to build trust and job satisfaction.

Access To New Work Opportunities

Companies' remote working options have created a competitive landscape, thus allowing job seekers access to new work opportunities. This shift has forced employers to re-evaluate their employee benefits, workplace culture, and job offers, as compensation is no longer the only determining factor for whether or not someone will apply for a job. 

Make Yourself at Home Office

With a remote work revolution happening before our very eyes, it is abundantly clear that this transformation from a traditional 9-5 office structure to a flexible work culture has its rewards for all involved.

From skyrocketing productivity, strengthening trust between employers and employees to reducing time and cost-savings, this historical moment has created an economic shift that will change the way many people decide to work. 

Some of the most successful organizations globally, such as Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, and Slack, now offer permanent work from home options and voluntary in-office work to their staff, indicating the future work landscape.

While much remains to be seen, the case for remote work as a driver of success moving forward is strong.

AI Integrations

Remote work is no longer a trend; it is a permanent fixture. Thanks to advances in technology and having online tools at our fingertips, companies have more opportunities than ever.

They can now efficiently conduct virtual meetings and boost productivity even when team members are scattered worldwide with thePoised Communication Coach.

Poised is an AI-powered communication coach (compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and more) that provides you real-time feedback and personalized lesson plans to help you improve.

Between meeting with the recruiter about your dream job, talking to your human resource department, or delivering a webinar, Poised will help you communicate your best self.

Learn how Poised can help your team communicate better today!

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Resources: 

Employers and Employees’ Views on Remote Work Success | Statista

Study Finds Productivity Not Deterred by Shift to Remote Work | SHRM

Job Openings and Labor Turnover | BLS

How Americans Used Time Saved By Working From Home | BFI

Amid the pandemic, a rising share of older US adults are now retired | Pew Research Center