It is no secret that many people were forced to work from home during the pandemic. Thousands of businesses shuttered during COVID-19, and many others were obliged to shift their businesses online and, in the process, their workforce had to work remotely.
The pandemic created a renewed interest in the work/life balance debate. Employees were desperate to find relief between their work schedules, family, and social lives. Thus, the Great Resignation soon followed because many employees did not want to go back to the office, nor did they want to work for bosses who failed to motivate or inspire them. Although many people began working remotely—and even resigned from their positions to start their own businesses—is remote work still all it’s cracked up to be?
Here are some key facts about remote work and its popularity post-pandemic:
Are People Still Working Remotely?
Yes! Although the number of remote workers has decreased post-pandemic, many people are still working from home. The pandemic proved to both employers and employees that many people can work from home and be more productive than at the office. Several studies show that remote workers helped reshape the economy when the world shut down four years ago.
Remote work remains considerably more prevalent as it was in 2019 before the pandemic started. Nearly half of workers continue to want the option of working from home – that is, hybrid hours. Some want days working from home, some want office-based days. Employees who work from home shared they feel more satisfied with:
- Work/life balance
- Motivation
- Efficiency
- Work ethic
- Compensation and Benefits
Remote Work Trends
According to Forbes, 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. This extreme percentage shows the impact and demand for more life/work balance. The flexibility to work from home—and make your own schedule—was popular several years ago and continues to increase in popularity.
Many Americans prefer not to be stuck in an office and would rather have online Zoom meetings versus face-to-face. The amount of work that can be accomplished from home supersedes the work employees are capable of doing at an office.
Another survey showcased a whopping 98% of workers want the ability to have at least some work-from-home days. This reflects the increasing affinity toward autonomy and flexibility.
Nearly 93% of employers continue to interview prospective hires remotely. This strategy allows for flexibility, efficiency, and the ability to interview many more people versus in-person interviews. This method provides sustainability for both the employer and employee.
Of the staggering aforementioned figure, 16% of companies operate fully remotely. These companies operate 100% online without any need for a physical office. More employers are jumping on the fully remote train and forgoing expensive rent prices of a brick-and-mortar office.
Remote Work by Occupation and Industry
While many employees would prefer to work from home, not every industry can operate remotely. For example, as helpful as telehealth can be for patients who are too ill to travel to a medical office, most doctors must still be available in-person for more extreme healthcare cases. Manufacturing companies and the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, theme parks and sports venues, also require a full contingent of on-site employees.
It’s clear that remote work is more sustainable and effective for specific industries and occupations. The IT and computer industries rank at the top of remote work as they are mainly digital in nature. Many industries are following in their footsteps.
The most popular industries for remote work in 2024 include the following:
- Computer and IT
- Marketing
- Finance and Accounting
- Project Management
- Medical and Health
- Recruiting and HR
- Customer Service
What is the Most Popular Age of Remote Workers?
Although many people of all different ages work remotely, a trend is apparent in specific age groups who prefer to work from home. The most popular age of remote employees ranges between 24 and 35 years old.
Within this age group of Millennials and Gen Z’ers, 39% work remotely full-time whereas 25% work remotely part-time hours. This trend reveals the younger workforce tends to prefer working from home and opting for a better work/life balance with a more flexible schedule. Education also contributes to the ability to land remote work jobs. The higher the education, the more likely of getting hired to work remotely.
Bottom Line
Remote work is here to stay. Not only did it change and improve the economy during the pandemic, but it also shifted the way millions of Americans prefer to work. With the majority preferring autonomy, not having to head into a physical office, and a better work/life balance, a quarter of the workforce work remotely.
The trends show employees continue to enjoy working from home, with nearly 20% of businesses operating solely online. Dozens of industries and occupations are now offered remotely, with the younger generations preferring remote work to in-office.
