By the numbers: Making the case for remote work

The world of work witnessed an unprecedented shift in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. But if you’re still unsure about fully adopting remote work at your company, the research is rolling in with some very clear messages for employers.

More businesses are going remote or hybrid

Many leading US organizations are permanently moving toward remote or hybrid models. Companies adopting flexible work policies are likely to come out on top as they attract skilled Gen-Z professionals new to the world of work.

56% of young employees are considering a change to fully remote work in the coming year. Employers are catching on to this trend, and 1 in 8 US job postings now offer remote work, receiving almost 2.5x the share of job applications compared to on-site vacancies.

Workers believe remote work is the future

Increased flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere rank in the top 4 or 5 must-haves for in-demand professionals in several countries, solidifying remote work as part of the post-pandemic “new normal.”

Today, 87% of workers say that a positive work-life balance is a key element of post-pandemic working life. Remote and hybrid work models could be the answer to meeting these new employee needs. This is backed by three-quarters of workers saying that a mix of office-based and remote work is the best solution moving forward and 21% saying that remote work is absolutely essential when deciding whether a job is right for them.

Parents are on board

Employers who develop family-friendly policies like flexible schedules, paid family leave, emergency caregiving leave, mentorship programs, and remote work options are more likely to attract and retain skilled working parents.

An astonishing 2.5 million women left the workplace during the pandemic, so retention of talented working parents should also be at the top of your organization’s remote work strategy. Studies show that by providing remote work options to working mothers, you could reduce the likelihood of them changing jobs by up to 32%. Add this to the lower rates of burnout and increased productivity, and it’s easy to understand why parents prioritize flexible remote work schemes when looking for work or at their current jobs.

Drive organizational transformation

By embracing these new work models, you could generate much-needed organizational change throughout your company. Remote models may be leading to a more efficient and focused approach to work, as flexible schedules are creating a need for fewer and shorter meetings. Data shows that meetings under 15 minutes now account for 60% of all meetings, while meetings start later on Mondays and end earlier on Fridays.

Remote work has also highlighted the urgent need for improved leadership. Business leaders are out-of-touch with their teams, with 61% saying they are currently “thriving” compared to just 38% of employees in non-decision-making roles. The Adecco Group’s Resetting Normal whitepaper reveals that 67% of non-managers say leaders don't meet their expectations for checking on their mental wellbeing, as almost 4 in 10 workers list burnout as a main cause for concern.

Your workforce is ready for a change, but if you’re struggling to adjust (or your business literally can’t make the change to remote work), connect with Adecco today. Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve guided customers through remote management and remote onboarding – and we’ve been providing solutions on attracting remote and in-person talent. Check out our case studies to learn more.