The Future of Remote Work
12. Nov. 2021
Not so long ago, the only way most people did their jobs was to get up and “go to work.” Salespeople were the only people who worked remotely. Every other professional spent their days in the familiar surroundings of an office. However, 55% of businesses today allow employees to work remotely, with 45% of US employees working virtually part-time (25%) or full-time (20%).
Today, remote work is no longer an uncommon working style. It’s a necessary next step for businesses, employees, and entrepreneurs who want to take advantage of the productivity and efficiency that advanced technology offers. In fact, 32% of managers reported an increase in employee productivity since the transition to remote work in 2020.
Remote work also offers unique opportunities in a crisis. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, it allowed workers to continue doing their jobs without risking public health.
As workers begin to embrace the reality of work outside the office, it’s necessary to think about what it means for you. Remote Year considers the future of remote work and how employees and organizations can adapt accordingly.
Key Takeaways
Remote work is a more common working style. Companies and businesses that want to take advantage of the limitless potential of advancing technology must incorporate remote work into their business processes.
Employers who had reservations about remote work are shifting their perceptions and evolving ways of allowing employees to work remotely.
Advancements in technology will further transform the future of work-from-home, with virtual reality conferencing on the horizon.
A remote working future won’t be limited to entrepreneurs and tech professionals. Workers in every sector are devising creative ways of taking their jobs outside the traditional office environment.
How Is Remote Work Changing?
The current realities of remote work indicate that more companies will inevitably transition to virtual work in the foreseeable future. Upwork projects that 36.2 million Americans will work remotely by 2025.
However, it's not just traditional workspaces that are transitioning to remote work; the virtual workspace is also evolving. Remote work future predictions highlight that today's video conferencing tools will give way to virtual reality conferencing, and this is the first of many evolutions to come
As the remote work ecosystem evolves, employees and corporations will have increased opportunities for business productivity while enjoying the work-life flexibility that virtual work provides.
1. More People Are Working Remotely
More people are working remotely today across the globe (with 72% of employees working virtually at least once a week), and for good reason. Statistics show that 77% of remote workers have witnessed increased work productivity, with 30% executing more work tasks in less time.
However, it's not just heightened productivity that's driving employees to opt for virtual working conditions. Remote work offers several benefits that make it the ideal conditions for staff members globally, including better work-life balance and reduced commute times.
Virtual work has also proven to be budget-friendly, with employees who work from home saving significantly on wardrobe, gas, parking, and car maintenance costs.
2. People Are Working Remotely In Different Ways
It’s not only the number of remote workers that is increasing; there are more ways to work remotely now than before.
Professionals who have always wanted to see the world can choose to travel solo or join a work and travel program to combat the isolation of working from home.
Advancements in communication technology and the growing push for remote work globally have inspired the creation of easily-accessible coworking spaces where remote workers from different industries can work together.
Remote workers traveling with Remote Year have 24/7 access to unique coworking spaces around the world with high-speed internet, call booths, and meeting rooms. The fact that these coworking spaces could be in different exotic locations across the world, with a traveling community, further improves the work experience.
In addition to these coworking spaces, Remote Year's work and travel programs further highlights how virtual work conditions provide limitless opportunities to combine work and travel.
Combine work with the enchanting experience of the Nusa Islands in Bali, Indonesia, or paella cooking with locals in Valencia with your coworking buddies while you handle those work projects – the possibilities are endless at Remote Year!
As Tue Le, our VP of Brand, Product and Community at Remote Year puts it, “Remote Year is built on the belief that travel and remote work leads to innovation, exploration, and personal and professional growth."
3. Companies Are Changing Their Opinions on Remote Work
Employees are not the only ones warming up to remote work and its benefits. Companies are also starting to change their perceptions of remote work. More corporations are allowing employees to work remotely, thanks to the heightened work-efficiency that remote work provides.
Employers understand the fact that happier and motivated employees equal increased staff productivity. They also know that remote workers are happier than in-office employees (primarily due to better work-life balance and improved flexibility).
Today, even more established corporate giants like Wells Fargo, Humana, Dell, and Intuit now list remote positions as part of their job openings, and it’s largely because of the demand for remote work from top job applicants across the globe.
Happy employees who work when they are productive and pursue their passions in their downtime can actually increase an employer’s bottom line. Companies are noticing a productivity uptick in their employees who work when they’re location-independent, regardless of the industry.
Remote Year's Enterprise Solutions Team is ready to help you take your current role remote.
4. More Industries Have Jobs That Can Be Done Remotely
As the statistics continue to show, remote work isn't limited to specific industries, with more sectors finding ways to adopt virtual work into their operations. According to Upwork, 73% of all work teams globally will have remote workers by 2028.
Interestingly, even industries that most people perceive as in-person professions are adopting remote work. For example, 15% of employees in the healthcare industry are remote workers, which is surprisingly the industry with the highest percentage of remote workers, even more than the tech sector!
Once again, employee productivity, happiness, and motivation alongside work flexibility are crucial reasons for this switch in many industries.
What Does This Mean For You?
Balancing work and everyday life is a dream come true for many professionals. Remote work offers the opportunity of finally finding that delicate work-life balance.
Whether you want to spend more time with your family, travel the world, or open up your schedule to go to the gym or kick back with your friends, transitioning to virtual work, in many cases, allows you to live out your adventures.
Plus, the fact that you can travel while working alleviates your worries about isolation as you work from home.
For instance, you can swap a lifestyle of staying stuck with just your laptop in your apartment with enjoying the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy, alongside a community of fellow remote workers, thanks to work-and-travel programs like our remote work and travel programs here at Remote Year!
After all, switching to remote work doesn't mean swapping productivity for travel and family time. Remote workers are generally more productive than in-office employees, and they accomplish more professionally while enjoying the life of their dreams.
Final Thoughts
The rising trend of remote work shows no sign of slowing down and is most likely here to stay. In the future, remote work may simply be “work”. Previous barriers and misconceptions about remote work are fading fast as more workers seek flexibility and the opportunity to chase their dreams. If it's catching a soccer match in Medellin or taking a cooking class in Lima with your Remote Year community or just spending more time with your family, the possibilities are endless.
FAQ
Are Remote Workers Happier?
Studies suggest that remote workers may be happier than those who work in an office setting. A survey by Tracking Happiness, a mental health research website, showed a positive correlation between remote work and employee happiness. According to the survey, fully remote workers were 20% happier than those who worked full-time in the office.
Are Remote Workers Paid Less?
No. Remote workers are not paid less than non-remote workers. Depending on their level of experience and expertise, remote workers in most sectors are on a pay scale comparable to their non-remote counterparts.
Is Remote Work Changing The Workforce?
Yes. Remote work is changing our approach to work. Over 70% of global professionals work remotely at least once a week; by 2028, 73% of work departments will have remote workers.
Why Working Remotely Is the Best?
Remote work offers career professionals better work-life balance, flexibility to work anywhere and at any time, and heightened productivity. Furthermore, statistics have shown that remote workers are happier than in-office employees. For employers, these factors mean having employees who can achieve more results and meet project targets in less time because they enjoy doing their jobs.
What Is Remote Work Burnout?
Remote work burnout is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion experienced by remote workers due to prolonged stressful professional experiences. It is usually marked by the inability to meet workplace demands.
However, work vacations have often proven effective at helping virtual workers deal with work burnout. Indulging in the thrills of a beach or fancy restaurant at an exotic getaway can help you deal with career stressors and improve your productivity.
Do you feel you're on the verge of a burnout? Our 1-week retreats in peaceful locations around the world could be just what you need to relax.
