What is remote work?
According to Remote Year (2022), remote work is defined as a type of work arrangement that allows professionals to perform their job duties outside of a conventional office setting. This working method is based on the notion that one need not be physically present to carry out job-related tasks well. Remote workers have the flexibility to work from any location, freeing them from the daily commute to a set workstation and allowing them to create schedules that suit both their personal and professional obligations. A cultural shift has occurred as a result of this change in perspective on what makes for a good work environment, and remote work has benefited from it.
The idea of remote work frequently makes people think of the abrupt change that took place in March 2020, when workforces all across the world were forced to adjust to new regulations because of the epidemic. Emails advertising the shift to work from home inundated inboxes, impacting not only the workplace but also schools (YEC, 2023).
Workers and companies see the benefits of remote work
According to Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford University economist who has been researching remote work for 20 years, the percentage of full-time work performed from home was just 5% in 2019 but shot up to over 60% during April and May 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bloom’s research, the recent increase in remote work is comparable to the rapid growth that occurred all at once about 40 years ago. Despite the fact that the percentage of remote work has since fallen (to about 27% at this time), Bloom projects that it will level off at about 25%, which would be a five-fold increase from 2019. Bloom expressed that this transformation is significant and almost unparalleled in economics, as it has risen by 500%. At first, remote work was considered a crucial step to limit the transmission of the virus. With the help of technological innovations like fast internet and video conferencing, numerous employees were able to work from home. Economists claim that businesses and employees alike have come to understand that there are advantages beyond merely the health benefits. According to Bloom’s explanation, workers are especially happy with the shorter commute times, spending less time getting ready for work, and having a flexible schedule that makes it easier for them to visit doctors or pick up their kids from school (Iacurci, 2023).
Is remote work effective?
Ten years ago, most businesses would have opposed the idea of allowing workers to frequently work from home. Most companies were concerned that remote work would result in a drop in productivity, which was their main concern. However, the epidemic showed that staff members could function autonomously. For instance, Prodoscore revealed that during the shutdown in March and April of 2020, remote workers’ output rose by 47%. According to the survey, communication practices like emailing (up 57%), calling (up 230%), and chat messaging (up 9%) have all increased (Peek, 2020).
The future of remote work
Remote work may be preferred by some, but it may not be the ideal work environment for everyone. It is important to keep in mind that, in 2022, Millennials constituted the largest group in the workforce and had a distinctly different perspective on “work” compared to previous generations. It is safe to assume that most Millennials desire remote work to persist and, surprisingly, may not even consider a job if it does not provide at least some remote work options. This is due to several factors, including the importance that Millennials place on a comfortable work environment, the ability to work on a flexible schedule, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As long as Millennials continue to dominate the workforce, remote work is here to stay, and businesses should be prepared to adapt in 2023 and beyond. In the upcoming years, remote work opportunities will need to fulfill the needs and expectations of Millennials, who are increasingly entering the workforce. Conversely, previous generations like Baby Boomers view remote work as “pleasant” but not essential. Previous generations are more accustomed to working in an office and do not necessarily mind doing so. While companies may not feel compelled by earlier generations to offer remote work in 2023 and beyond, there will likely be an increase in remote work opportunities due to the demands of newer generations (YEC, 2023).
References
Iacurci, G. (2023). Full-time office work is ‘dead’: 3 labor experts weigh in on the future of remote work. [online] CNBC. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/03/the-future-of-remote-work-labor-experts-weigh-in.html [Accessed 2 April 2023]
Peek, S. (2020). Communication Technology and Inclusion Will Shape the Future of Remote Work. [online] Business News Daily. Available at: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8156-future-of-remote-work.html [Accessed 2 April 2023]
Remote Year (2022). What is Remote Work? [online] remoteyear.com. Available at: https://www.remoteyear.com/blog/what-is-remote-work [Accessed 2 April 2023]
YEC (2023). Council Post: What’s The Future Of Remote Work In 2023? [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2023/01/10/whats-the-future-of-remote-work-in-2023/?sh=5aa826995864 [Accessed 2 April 2023]
