My first advertising job was as a contract author for an company on the alternative facet of the world. This additionally occurred to be my first “actual” job and, consequently, my first expertise of distant work.
Since then, I’ve labored with a number of different corporations throughout a number of time zones and, because of this, skilled the whole lot distant work has to supply — from the challenges of establishing a house workplace to the fun of location independence.
However extra importantly, I’ve additionally gotten to consciously observe the expansion and impression of distant work over time.
On this submit, I’ll be sharing 60 statistics that will help you perceive the evolution, alternatives, and challenges this distinctive mode of labor affords.
Every part is designed to offer extra than simply statistics and as an alternative give you a cohesive, research-backed narrative on every sub-topic.
Desk of Contents
The Introduction and Evolution of Distant Work
- Based on Hubspot, essentially the most popular work model today is a hybrid model, which is most well-liked by 41% of workers. That is adopted by the absolutely distant work mannequin (32%), and, lastly, on-site work (27%). Nonetheless, curiously, earlier than 2020, most workers had absolutely on-site jobs with no instant plans to modify to different fashions. So, what modified?
- The 2020 lockdown mandated an entire shift to distant work throughout most industries, introducing many to distant work for the primary time. Consequently, an Owl Labs survey discovered that this expertise led to 70% of employees wanting to maintain a hybrid or remote working arrangement even post-pandemic.
- By 2021, an Accenture examine discovered that 83% of global workers considered this hybrid mannequin of labor (a mixture of distant and on-site work) as excellent.
- As time went on, employee preferences stored evolving. A 2022 examine discovered that the preferred working styles shifted a bit from the previous year. Distant work was favored by 34% in 2021 however dropped to 29% in 2022. Hybrid work went from 31% to 36%, and in-office work went from 29% to 22%.
- Breaking it down by gender, girls appeared to favor distant work extra (46%) over males (39%). However, in-office work appeared extra interesting to males, with 24% preferring it in comparison with 19% of girls.
- This study also found that round 29% of staff modified jobs, with distant staff being twice as probably (37%) to modify in comparison with these working in an workplace (21%). The highest causes for altering jobs had been higher pay (84%), higher profession alternatives (82%), and higher work/life stability (78%).
- However what was much more fascinating was that according to participants in the study, if the choice to work remotely of their present jobs was taken away, 66% stated they’d begin on the lookout for a job that supplied extra flexibility, whereas 39% stated they’d merely give up.
- Equally, another 2022 survey found that 63% of staff would select a greater work-life stability over higher pay.
- And these sentiments weren’t short-term. A 2022 examine by Buffer discovered that 98% of respondents wanted to work remotely in some capability for the remainder of their careers.
- Equally, one other examine discovered that 88% of workers considered hybrid work as a leading benefit they’d anticipate in a brand new job.
- Distant work choices had been so positively acquired that only 1% of participants in a study by Buffer reported having a negative experience with distant work.
- Moreover, the examine additionally discovered that 98% of remote workers would recommend remote work to others.
- Research proceed to constantly present that many staff desire a distant or hybrid association over on-site work. For example, Atlassian’s State of Work study confirmed a notable shift within the preferences of distant, office-only, and hybrid staff between 2021 and 2022: 22% in 2022 versus 34% in 2021, 35% in 2022 versus 39% in 2021, and 43% in 2022 versus 27% in 2021, respectively.
- General, the hybrid mannequin of distant work seems to be the glad medium between staff and employers, with 45.5% of distant staff having hybrid preparations in comparison with 20.5% who work absolutely from house, according to a January 2023 survey.
How Corporations Have Responded to Distant Work
- Earlier than the 2020 shutdown, just 8% of companies had flexible workplace policies.
- By 2021, nearly two-thirds (62%) had carried out some stage of versatile work. Mid-size corporations (501-5,000 workers) particularly, had been significantly proactive, with 70% implementing versatile work insurance policies.
- Nonetheless, employer sentiments towards distant work continued to evolve. That very same yr, a report by OwlLabs discovered that 73% of those who worked from home throughout the pandemic finally returned to the workplace a minimum of someday per week.
- In actuality, whereas 74% of companies promised some level of flexibility in work schedules on the time, 82% had been additionally planning a return to pre-pandemic work schedules after the lockdown.
- By 2022, the State of Remote Work report discovered that solely 31% of employers had been providing absolutely distant working choices, with 41% of small corporations (10-50 workers) requiring workers to return to the workplace.
- So, the place precisely does that depart us at this time? It actually is dependent upon who you ask. On one hand, 58% of individuals in a McKinsey survey reported having the chance to make money working from home a minimum of someday per week.
- However, a number of research have discovered that distant work is the exception and never the norm. Based on a study by Accenture, as of 2022, 36% of staff worldwide had returned to a totally on-site work mannequin throughout all industries.
- One other survey by Atlassian additionally revealed that 82% of all information staff had some type of “in-office mandate,” whereas 25% of staff who supposedly had the selection to work remotely nonetheless felt stress to enter the workplace.
- Lastly, a 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey discovered that solely 27.5% of personal sector companies (2.5 million) had workers teleworking all or among the time.
- So, how can we interpret this seemingly conflicting knowledge? Effectively, all views could have advantage. By inspecting every business individually fairly than collectively, the information aligns higher.
- The identical examine by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics discovered that skilled and enterprise companies, academic companies, and wholesale commerce boasted the best proportion of teleworkers at 67.4%, 49%, 46%, and 39%, respectively. This implies that distant work alternatives are merely extra prevalent in sure industries, and examine outcomes will usually differ relying on the business surveyed.
Why Staff Favor Distant Work
- For a lot of staff, the enchantment of distant work lies in its flexibility. Based on Hubspot’s Hybrid Work Report, 90% of workers are coping with some stage of burnout and consider that flexibility, particularly in taking day without work, may considerably scale back their stress ranges.
- However flexibility is not nearly while you work. Based on findings from a Buffer study, the largest distant work advantages for staff embrace with the ability to handle their time (22%), select the place they dwell (19%), and resolve the place they work (13%).
- Atlassian’s analysis supplies additional perception, displaying that the primary reason US knowledge workers prefer remote work is that they’re merely happier working from house (47%).
- However past happiness and suppleness, distant staff additionally report larger productiveness ranges. Based on a examine by Owl Labs, a large majority (62%) of workers feel more productive when working remotely, in comparison with simply 11% who really feel much less productive.
- A Buffer study additionally discovered that 70% of staff discover it simpler to focus, 65% handle stress higher, and 50% keep away from distractions higher when working remotely.
- Lastly, whereas the workplace is seen as the best atmosphere for sure actions, akin to assembly new individuals (59%), managing others (51%), and group conferences (51%), staff are break up on the place they like to innovate and brainstorm. Some thrive in the office (39%), while others seem to find their flow better at home (37%).
The Enterprise Influence of Distant Work
- Distant work, whether or not absolutely distant or hybrid, usually incurs bills that aren’t usually related to conventional work fashions. Based on findings from Buffer’s State of Remote Work Report, 64% of workers indicated that their corporations paid for hardware akin to displays, whereas 40% reported that their corporations lined prices related to house workplace tools.
- Apparently, house web, which is arguably essentially the most essential distant work instrument, is only covered by 28% of companies.
- One other extra distant working value corporations usually need to cowl is coworking memberships. 22% of respondents within the Buffer survey indicated that their companies cover their memberships, whereas 38% expressed a need for his or her corporations to take action.
- Now, aside from worker bills, companies additionally want to contemplate how distant work may have an effect on profitability. For instance, HubSpot’s 2024 State of Sales Report revealed that 46% of salespeople understand promoting remotely as much less efficient than in-person gross sales.
- So, what does this imply? Is distant work merely an added expense with no actual advantages to the underside line? Quite the opposite, distant work additionally affords main monetary advantages. Based on a study by IWG, greater than four-fifths of Chief Monetary Officers (CFOs) (82%) consider that distant work, particularly in a hybrid format, is a cheaper enterprise mannequin in comparison with conventional workplace setups.
- This line of considering is supported by findings from World Office Analytics, which means that hybrid working preparations can save organizations more than $11,000 per employee annually on average.
- However how precisely does distant work ship value financial savings for corporations? Firstly, there’s the potential for substantial financial savings on workplace lease. The IWG examine discovered that two-thirds (65%) of CFOs intention to scale back facility spending by more than 10% per year.
- Equally, one other examine discovered that 60% of U.S. executives plan to reduce office space by up to half or more.
- The rationale behind these cost-saving measures is evident. By eliminating or considerably decreasing workplace house necessities, corporations can keep away from committing to costly, long-term leases, modify their house necessities as wanted, and luxuriate in enormous value financial savings. For example, Cisco’s adoption of hybrid working practices has resulted in savings of $500 million over the past five years.
- However there’s extra to it than simply saving on workplace prices. Employee prices alone reveal an fascinating pattern. An Owl Labs examine discovered that greater than half of all staff (52%) could be prepared to simply accept a pay lower of 5% or extra in change for the flexibleness to decide on their working location. In truth, 23% indicated they would accept a pay cut of 10% or more for this benefit.
- Conversely, if staff had been now not allowed to work remotely or in a hybrid setup, 67% would expect a pay increase to cowl extra commuting bills.
- Lastly, past value issues, current analysis carried out by IWG and Arup revealed that hybrid working has the potential to reduce urban carbon emissions by 70% within the UK and as much as 87% within the U.S.. These findings recommend that the environmental impression of absolutely distant work could possibly be substantial for companies that select to undertake distant work fashions.
Collaboration in a Distant Work Setting
- Based on a recent HubSpot survey, the primary ache level for corporations within the distant work period is disconnected techniques. Particularly, the survey discovered that the highest drawback for distant corporations appears to be difficulties with communication and collaboration between groups.
- However why is that this an issue? One potential cause could possibly be how distributed groups are these days. For instance, Buffer’s State of Remote Work survey discovered that 74% of respondents labored in corporations that function throughout a number of time zones. Moreover, over half of the distant staff (62%) in that examine reported having individuals of their instant groups distributed throughout a number of time zones.
- This distributed setup impacts how remote teams collaborate. Presently, collaboration primarily happens by messaging apps (50%), emails (22%), and conferences (19%), with video calls being the commonest for conferences. Apparently, only about one-third (36%) of employers have upgraded their video assembly know-how since 2020.
- For digital conferences particularly, a Buffer study found that when taking conferences, most distant staff desire to be on digital camera. When requested why, 67% of individuals felt it was simpler to speak after they may see somebody’s expression.
- That stated, not all conferences are considered favorably by distant staff. A study by HubSpot revealed that 70% of workers discover too many calls and conferences disruptive to their focus. Moreover, 58% really feel that a minimum of half of the conferences they attend may have been dealt with by emails as an alternative.
- Furthermore, the identical examine additionally discovered that email was the preferred communication platform for a majority of respondents (39%) when requested to decide on one platform for the upcoming yr.
- On the facet of the organizations, a number of research have proven that employers are additionally taking measures to make sure seamless collaboration amongst distant groups. A 2022 study found that roughly half (50%) of employers have offered coaching to managers on managing distant and hybrid groups.
- Equally, a HubSpot examine discovered that 32% of workers who participated of their Hybrid Work survey had acquired tips on utilizing unified communication and collaboration tools. Moreover, 54% had acquired coaching on conducting efficient and inclusive hybrid conferences.
- Lastly, a current examine additionally discovered that 37% of employers have added or increased the use of employee tracking software, indicating a rising pattern in the direction of simpler monitoring and administration of distant groups.
Challenges of Distant Work
- Whereas distant work affords many advantages, it additionally presents a number of challenges. For some distant staff, the wrestle lies in the isolation of staying home too often. One examine discovered that one in three distant staff reported this as their largest problem, with loneliness following carefully behind at 23%.
- A 2022 Hubspot survey additionally discovered that 40% of remote workers reportedly miss spontaneous, in-person connections with their colleagues,
- There’s additionally the truth that not each worker thrives in a distant atmosphere. A current examine discovered that just about half of U.S. staff feel their teams do not function effectively in a hybrid environment.
- Whereas this might probably be attributed to a number of causes, a 2022 examine discovered that 77% of remote workers who felt much less productive attributed this to elevated distractions at house, which is comprehensible contemplating that 45% of remote workers make the most of multi-purpose areas, akin to bedrooms or kitchens, for work.
- Separating work and personal life may also be troublesome in a distant setting. In a single examine, 81% of distant staff admitted to checking work emails exterior of workplace hours, with 63% doing so on weekends and 34% whereas on trip. Furthermore, 48% usually labored past conventional hours, with 44% reporting elevated work hours in comparison with the earlier yr.
- Another study additionally discovered that just about half (45%) of staff report a rise in work-related stress over the previous yr.
- Lastly, one other main problem for distant work adoption appears to be office perceptions. One examine discovered that 49% of workers really feel that managers view in-office workers as tougher working and extra reliable than distant counterparts.
- Equally, one other examine discovered that 10% of employees concern being perceived as much less productive or dedicated in the event that they work remotely.
Navigating The Distant Work Panorama
Whereas distant work presents new and distinctive challenges, with the fitting method and understanding, it will probably result in extra productive and satisfying working preparations for each workers and employers.
Whether or not you‘re contemplating your first distant position or hiring distant group members, it’s essential to maintain the stats above in thoughts because the world continues to evolve and embrace flexibility.
