My first advertising and marketing job was as a contract author for an company on the alternative aspect 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 firms throughout a number of time zones and, because of this, skilled every little thing distant work has to supply — from the challenges of organising a house workplace to the fun of location independence.
However extra importantly, I’ve additionally gotten to consciously observe the expansion and influence of distant work over time.
On this publish, I’ll be sharing 60 statistics that will help you perceive the evolution, alternatives, and challenges this distinctive mode of labor presents.
Every part is designed to supply 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
- In accordance with Hubspot, essentially the most popular work model today is a hybrid model, which is most well-liked by 41% of staff. That is adopted by the absolutely distant work mannequin (32%), and, lastly, on-site work (27%). Nonetheless, curiously, earlier than 2020, most staff had absolutely on-site jobs with no fast plans to change to various fashions. So, what modified?
- The 2020 lockdown mandated a whole 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 seen this hybrid mannequin of labor (a mixture of distant and on-site work) as preferrred.
- 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%). Alternatively, in-office work appeared extra interesting to males, with 24% preferring it in comparison with 19% of ladies.
- This study also found that round 29% of employees modified jobs, with distant employees being twice as seemingly (37%) to change in comparison with these working in an workplace (21%). The highest causes for altering jobs have been higher pay (84%), higher profession alternatives (82%), and higher work/life steadiness (78%).
- However what was much more attention-grabbing was that according to participants in the study, if the choice to work remotely of their present jobs was taken away, 66% mentioned they might begin searching for a job that supplied extra flexibility, whereas 39% mentioned they might merely stop.
- Equally, another 2022 survey found that 63% of employees would select a greater work-life steadiness 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 have been so positively obtained 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 persistently present that many employees choose 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 employees 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 joyful medium between employees and employers, with 45.5% of distant employees having hybrid preparations in comparison with 20.5% who work absolutely from house, according to a January 2023 survey.
How Firms 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 degree of versatile work. Mid-size firms (501-5,000 staff) particularly, have 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 in the course of the pandemic finally returned to the workplace at the very least sooner or later per week.
- In actuality, whereas 74% of companies promised some level of flexibility in work schedules on the time, 82% have 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 have been providing absolutely distant working choices, with 41% of small firms (10-50 staff) requiring staff to return to the workplace.
- So, the place precisely does that go away us as we speak? It actually is dependent upon who you ask. On one hand, 58% of contributors in a McKinsey survey reported having the chance to work at home at the very least sooner or later per week.
- Alternatively, a number of research have discovered that distant work is the exception and never the norm. In accordance with a study by Accenture, as of 2022, 36% of employees worldwide had returned to a totally on-site work mannequin throughout all industries.
- One other survey by Atlassian additionally revealed that 82% of all data employees had some type of “in-office mandate,” whereas 25% of employees who supposedly had the selection to work remotely nonetheless felt strain 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 staff teleworking all or a number of the time.
- So, how will we interpret this seemingly conflicting knowledge? Effectively, all views might have benefit. By inspecting every business individually quite 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 very best share of teleworkers at 67.4%, 49%, 46%, and 39%, respectively. This means that distant work alternatives are merely extra prevalent in sure industries, and examine outcomes will typically fluctuate relying on the business surveyed.
Why Staff Want Distant Work
- For a lot of employees, the enchantment of distant work lies in its flexibility. In accordance with Hubspot’s Hybrid Work Report, 90% of staff are coping with some degree of burnout and imagine that flexibility, particularly in taking day without work, might considerably scale back their stress ranges.
- However flexibility is not nearly if you work. In accordance with findings from a Buffer study, the largest distant work advantages for employees embrace having the ability to handle their time (22%), select the place they dwell (19%), and determine the place they work (13%).
- Atlassian’s analysis offers 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 employees additionally report larger productiveness ranges. In accordance with 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 employees 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 most efficient surroundings for sure actions, reminiscent of assembly new folks (59%), managing others (51%), and group conferences (51%), employees 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 Impression of Distant Work
- Distant work, whether or not absolutely distant or hybrid, typically incurs bills that aren’t sometimes related to conventional work fashions. In accordance with findings from Buffer’s State of Remote Work Report, 64% of staff indicated that their firms paid for {hardware} reminiscent of displays, whereas 40% reported that their firms coated 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 price firms typically must 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 firms to take action.
- Now, apart from worker bills, companies additionally want to think about 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 presents main monetary advantages. In accordance with a study by IWG, greater than four-fifths of Chief Monetary Officers (CFOs) (82%) imagine that distant work, particularly in a hybrid format, is a cheaper enterprise mannequin in comparison with conventional workplace setups.
- This line of pondering is supported by findings from International 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 price financial savings for firms? Firstly, there’s the potential for substantial financial savings on workplace hire. 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 lowering workplace area necessities, firms can keep away from committing to costly, long-term leases, alter their area necessities as wanted, and revel in large price 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 attention-grabbing pattern. An Owl Labs examine discovered that greater than half of all employees (52%) could be keen to just accept a pay lower of 5% or extra in change for the pliability 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 employees have been not allowed to work remotely or in a hybrid setup, 67% would expect a pay increase to cowl extra commuting bills.
- Lastly, past price concerns, latest 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 influence of absolutely distant work may very well be substantial for companies that select to undertake distant work fashions.
Collaboration in a Distant Work Setting
- In accordance with a recent HubSpot survey, the primary ache level for firms within the distant work period is disconnected techniques. Particularly, the survey discovered that the highest downside for distant firms appears to be difficulties with communication and collaboration between groups.
- However why is that this an issue? One attainable cause may very well be how distributed groups are these days. For instance, Buffer’s State of Remote Work survey discovered that 74% of respondents labored in firms that function throughout a number of time zones. Moreover, over half of the distant employees (62%) in that examine reported having folks of their fast groups distributed throughout a number of time zones.
- This distributed setup impacts how remote teams collaborate. Presently, collaboration primarily happens by means of messaging apps (50%), emails (22%), and conferences (19%), with video calls being the most typical for conferences. Apparently, only about one-third (36%) of employers have upgraded their video assembly expertise since 2020.
- For digital conferences particularly, a Buffer study found that when taking conferences, most distant employees choose to be on digicam. When requested why, 67% of contributors felt it was simpler to speak after they might see somebody’s expression.
- That mentioned, not all conferences are seen favorably by distant employees. A study by HubSpot revealed that 70% of staff discover too many calls and conferences disruptive to their focus. Moreover, 58% really feel that at the very least half of the conferences they attend might have been dealt with by means of 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 aspect 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 staff who participated of their Hybrid Work survey had obtained pointers on utilizing unified communication and collaboration tools. Moreover, 54% had obtained coaching on conducting efficient and inclusive hybrid conferences.
- Lastly, a latest 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 more practical monitoring and administration of distant groups.
Challenges of Distant Work
- Whereas distant work presents many advantages, it additionally presents a number of challenges. For some distant employees, the battle lies in the isolation of staying home too often. One examine discovered that one in three distant employees reported this as their greatest 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 surroundings. A latest examine discovered that just about half of U.S. employees feel their teams do not function effectively in a hybrid environment.
- Whereas this might seemingly 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, reminiscent of bedrooms or kitchens, for work.
- Separating work and personal life can be tough in a distant setting. In a single examine, 81% of distant employees admitted to checking work emails outdoors of workplace hours, with 63% doing so on weekends and 34% whereas on trip. Furthermore, 48% typically 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 employees 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 staff as more durable working and extra reliable than distant counterparts.
- Equally, one other examine discovered that 10% of employees worry 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 possibly result in extra productive and satisfying working preparations for each staff and employers.
Whether or not you‘re contemplating your first distant function or hiring distant group members, it’s vital to maintain the stats above in thoughts because the world continues to evolve and embrace flexibility.