Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many employees were forced to work from home. However, it allowed companies to see the benefits of having flexible workplace policies. Similarly, employees are enjoying work from home trends and benefits that improve their productivity. You probably want to consider working remotely permanently.
Whether you want to embrace telecommuting full time or work in a hybrid schedule, you will be affected by the future trends in working remotely.
In this article, we will explore predictions that will significantly affect the telecommuting industry. This way, it’s easier for you to keep up with the changes from innovative remote work tools as well as shifts in workplace culture. That said, below are the work from home trends and predictions that you should expect in 2020.
Work From Home Trends 2020
- The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Rendered Remote Work Essential
- Increasing Demand for Work from Home Options
- Companies Encouraging Work from Home
- Coworking Spaces: Down But Not Out
- Indoor Activity and Work from Home Apps Downloads Rising
- Working from Home to Earn More
- Work from Home, A Jumping Board for Startups
In 2019, about 26.7 million US workers have started working remotely. That was about 23.7% of total workers in the United States. Because of the coronavirus outbreak that is making the largest toll on the country, as much as 44% of them now work from home. This is especially true in the technology sector with popular companies, such as Airbnb, Twitter, Apple, and Google leading the charge.
Of course, in these extraordinary times, this is expected. But when normalcy was around, and when it returns, the increasing demand for work from home options seems to stem from two catalysts: (1) living costs in the metro with a high density of knowledgeable workers, and (2) technology has allowed for remote collaboration.
Working From Home: Motivations and Concerns
So, why go to the office to do things that you can otherwise accomplish at home? Is going to the office just to let your boss know that you are working? Wouldn’t he figure that out with your output? These are the common rhetorical questions that employees pushing for the work from home setups bring up. Today, workers demand flexibility. They want a great work-life balance. And, it is commonly believed that when you have a good work-life balance, you become more productive at work. This is, at least, the selling point for remote work arrangements.
Source: OWLLabs, 2019
However, for companies, it is quite hard to manage remote work operations. There are a lot of things to set up. New protocols need to be established. And, adopting digital tools is not easy work. Some technical training is required, along with a shift in culture. In fact, 69% of remote managers are concerned that productivity will be reduced even though they have been trained for remote work supervision. This is just one of the many worries.
Today, many companies and even government agencies around the world struggle to make telecommuting work well. But, as the recent coronavirus outbreak became a pandemic, many have turned to work from home setups to keep the wheels spinning.
1. The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Rendered Remote Work Essential
While COVID-19 vaccines are already out, global workers who were forced to work from home are not going to the workplace soon. Crucially, the logistics of producing vaccines enough for the global population is still a long way from optimum. Even with the global equitable access to COVID-19 initiated by the World Health Organization, the ACT Accelerator, the most optimistic global results would not be due until 2025.
With more than a year of remote work operations under their belts, more employers are getting comfortable with the new work setup. They are seeing better productivity and are consequently investing in better technologies to support workers at home. Specifically, the investments are in the form of better virtualization tools, enhanced cloud infrastructure services, and unified communications and collaboration tools.
Admittedly, some industries and countries are better placed for remote work.
In difficult positions, and are thus expected to require their workers back early in person, are those in the agriculture, accommodation/food services, transportation/warehousing, manufacturing, mining, and traditional retail trade sectors. To do that, the only path available to them is that of mandating their workers to be vaccinated.
More fortunate are the finance/insurance, management, scientific/technical services, IT/telecommunication, and education sectors that are able to sustain their core functions even during the height of the pandemic.
Among countries, the advanced economies are expectedly in a much better position to handle remote work, with countries like the UK, Germany, the US, and Japan capable of allocating remote work in the 26% to 46% range. In comparison, countries like India and Mexico are in a much difficult situation, going at a 12% to 26% clip.
Business Software Spending Priority
As a Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Web conferencing software: 67%
Web conferencing software
67%Collaboration tools: 57%
Collaboration tools
57%Remote desktop tools: 52%
Remote desktop tools
52%Security software: 41%
Security software
41%Learning management software: 23%
Learning management software
23%Time tracking tools: 14%
Time tracking tools
14%Telemedicine: 11%
Telemedicine
11%Other: 11%
Other
11%Source: Statista 2020
Designed byKey Takeaways
- Resetting the global economy is still a long way off even with the WHO-led initiative, with the best estimates putting it around 2025.
- Nevertheless, some industries are better placed to make the best of the pandemic, especially the finance sector.
- In the same vein, advanced economies are expected to handle remote work better than the emerging economies.
2. Increasing Demand for Work from Home Options
For employees, the work from home arrangement has many benefits. However, you can summarize these in one word: savings. For employees, they can save time not commuting, save on their gas money or Uber fares, save on clothes and laundry from not dressing up, and save money from not eating out, among others. Essentially, telecommuting professionals can just roll out of bed and get to work on their desks (or work in bed). For many, this is more convenient and, hence, less stressful.
For employees, the work from home arrangement has many benefits. However, you can summarize these in one word: savings. For employees, they can save time not commuting, save on their gas money or Uber fares, save on clothes and laundry from not dressing up, and save money from not eating out, among others. Essentially, telecommuting professionals can just roll out of bed and get to work on their desks (or work in bed). For many, this is more convenient and, hence, less stressful.
These are outstanding financial incentives for work from home setups. However, there are other personal and wellness benefits of working remotely as well. One, employees can spend more time with their families at home. Two, they can start eating healthier by having more time to cook. And they will have more time to exercise. Watercooler breaks can turn into exercise sessions. Commuting time can turn into meal planning and cooking. They can even have more time for their pets (if they have them).
In one Linkedin survey, it was found that 82% of workers want to work from home at least once a week. Also, 57% want to work from home at least three days a week. This desire for remote work arrangements is more evident in the tech sector. Now that many businesses made at least some of their employees work from home makes us wonder whether this will be the new normal even after the pandemic. If we follow the trend, we believe that more workers will demand work from home arrangements in the future. Many feel that this is the tipping point towards the future of work.
Key Takeaways
- Work from home arrangements allow workers to save time and money from commuting, eating out, and laundry.
- There are other personal benefits from remote setups. These include more time with families and other mental health benefits.
- As the cost of living rises, knowledge workers, especially in the technology sector, will likely demand these options even after the pandemic.
3. Companies Encouraging Work from Home
Pre-pandemic, companies have already been encouraging employees to work from home. Amidst the pandemic, that is only the option available for many of them as governments imposed lockdowns and quarantines on a global scale. Post-pandemic, many companies will find work from home as a more viable option, especially with experience tucked under their belt managing the work setup.
Companies that encourage work from home can save more money. So, it is understandable that some encouraged telecommuting even before the pandemic started. This is because there are obvious benefits.
Firstly, the depreciation costs of office equipment will decrease. Secondly, the use of office materials like paper, thumbtacks, pencils, and the like will also lessen. Put simply; overhead costs can go down. Thanks to the rise of digital tools and systems, many companies can afford to offer an employee remote job options for a few days in a month.
As mentioned, the operating cost of companies is the main reason for allowing for telecommuting. For instance, one Chinese travel agency with 16,000 employees had a small group of their contact center staff to work from home. They found that employees seem to work more and quit less. When employees were asked if they were happy with their jobs, they answered in the affirmative. Plus, the company saved more than a whopping $1,000 per employee. This is thanks to the company reducing its office space. However, many complained because of loneliness.
This is because work from home setups are not for everyone. Naturally, it isn’t really for field workers. But for knowledge workers in tech, finances, and even education, it can work. Of course, you should expect a few hiccups along the way. But, rising personal and company costs will likely help push the telecommuting culture to become popular even after the pandemic.
Key Takeaways
- Companies can save overhead costs when they adopt flexible workplace arrangements for at least some of their workers.
- Not all jobs are best done remotely. There will be jobs that need to be done on-site like for repair techs. However, companies can provide work from home options like a day or half a day for repair techs to work on their reports.
- Some issues will arise when adopting remote work setups. Technology can solve it, but there will be birth pains. Also, setting up these arrangements is not free. Digital tools and training have price tags too.
4. Coworking Spaces: Down But Not Out
Coworking spaces had a bumpy ride during the pandemic. Whereas it was predicted that 1,688 coworking spaces would be added in 2020, the market instead sank to a CAGR of -12.9% from 2019. Nevertheless, where it managed only $8.24 billion revenue in 2020, it’s predicted to bounce back to $11.52 by 2023, for a CAGR of 11.8%
Coworking spaces were described as sleeping giants long before the pandemic. Boosters and insiders saw it finally awake and rise not just in scale but also in terms of variance. The rise of niche spaces became prominent. This included the niche of women-only spaces and even luxury ones. The industry was even predicted by experts to have hospitality as a big buzzword for the coming years. It is to be seen how this will figure after the pandemic slowed down.
Looking ahead, the industry is taking shifts in priorities to better deal with the ongoing pandemic. One measure the industry is taking is to work with companies that are resorting to a hybrid workforce, transforming typical amenities into more pandemic-technology friendly spaces that allow employees multiple uses.
Other coworking spaces are taking more offensive steps, like enlarging their target audience. Specifically, they are going after bigger companies that are on cost-cutting measures themselves. With offers of shared offices, they should be able to add to their typical freelancing and solopreneur customers.
Coworking spaces will be back on their feet, more in line with the expected boom in the future. More real estate investments will be made, and more companies will be put up to cater to this need. Experts believe that with the recession, the coworking industry will continue to prosper.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shot down the projected global revenue of coworking spaces, plunging it down by -12.9%.
- Nevertheless, coworking spaces are expected to bounce back with a CAGR of 11.8% by 2023.
- The coworking spaces industry is taking active measures like going after hybrid workforce companies and those cutting costs themselves.
5. Indoor Activity and Work from Home Apps Downloads Rising
Recently, because of the pandemic, Apple released its top apps for working and learning at home. These included apps for keeping in touch with your loved ones like Snapchat and Houseparty. It also includes apps for browsing news, home workouts, meditation, yoga, and even cooking ones. In this time of the pandemic, we are surely going to rely on apps to get us entertained. Most importantly, we are going to rely on some to comply with our work duties.
Communication apps such as Slack and Zoom have been downloaded by more and more people since the mass quarantine started. This also goes for many collaboration programs. Plus, more and more companies and government agencies have to switch to digital platforms to keep their activities going. For instance, Microsoft Office 365 is now being used more by government agencies.
Google Classroom and other LMS software providers have also accrued more users. This is a big part of our remote work trends 2020 so far. However, we think that this trend will continue even after the outbreak is contained (we are on the optimistic side here).
A big possibility is that when people kind of get used to using these apps and become productive while working from home, the usage will spill out when things get back to normal. Because why migrate out of them again? Why stop on-premise files and their cloud copies from syncing? When normal comes back, the options to work remotely and to keep working at home after work hours (for workaholics out there) will remain. And, given that employees will be used to remote productive work, work from home arrangements will likely see an increase too. As a result, we would bet that more remote work solutions will get more downloads as well. It’s a snowball effect.
Key Takeaways
- Stay-at-home applications for exercise, learning, and work were rising before the pandemic. Experts expect that downloads will continue to rise even after the pandemic. This is especially so when telecommuting setups increase with the pandemic as a catalyst.
- With the rise of downloads, we expect that more and more software will be developed and companies to be put up to cater to specific needs. These include digital transformation consultant firms and the like.
- More hybrid technology architecture will be set up by firms to support both on-premise and remote work.
Most Popular Remote Work Software
- monday.com. This comprehensive project management tool is flexible enough to be used to manage workflows in different business processes from HR to CRM and from content creation to SEO. Learn more about it in our monday.com review.
- PandaDoc. This top document management solution allows users to create, send, and share documents online. And, it enables them to place legally-binding signatures for faster paperless transactions. Check out our official PandaDoc review.
- Zoom. If you need video conferencing capabilities that range from webinars and online courses to simple virtual meetings, Zoom is a great option. It has an easy-to-use interface and is complete with messaging and chat. Find out more about it in our Zoom review.
- Slack. This is a popular easy to use chat platform for professionals. It is complete with file sharing features, channels, and has great integrations. See what more it can do here in our Slack review.
- Time Doctor. If you worry about tracking remote and remote employee work hours, Time Doctor is a good option. You can easily track their work hours and even get reports for potential poor time use. Also, you can choose to take screenshots of what they are doing while on paid time. Our Time Doctor review will give you a rundown of all its important features.
6. Working from Home to Earn More
In the industry, some have regular work who still get an additional job or project for extra pay. These jobs include both outcome-based ones and timed-ones. They range from taking surveys, watching videos, and many more. And, of course, some are not so respectable in some sense, especially the ones that are involved with internet advertising. However, legitimate projects like making PowerPoint presentations, copywriting, editing, video editing, and the likes abound on the net.
People get projects and actual jobs from marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr. Many people with regular non-remote work often opt to find extra gigs or another job from these marketplaces. There are even those who have multiple freelance jobs. And, many freelancers find multiple clients for extra pay.
In this economy, and with the power of technology, getting access to work from home jobs is quite apt and almost too easy. All you need is to go to freelancer marketplaces online, fill out a profile, spruce it up a bit, create a stunning portfolio, and off you go. Of course, competition is fierce. One long-term trend you will notice in this industry is the ongoing price war between freelancers. This seems to negatively affect new freelancers. But, when you show you have great work and potential, you will be sought out by many clients.
Source: Census Bureau
Key Takeaways
- There are many freelance projects available on the Internet, thanks to job and freelancer marketplaces. And, even employees with regular on-site jobs can take advantage of these to earn extra money.
- Competition to get clients on these platforms is quite fierce. Price wars are always the norm. Thus, you have to work on how to put your best foot forward.
- Also, competition in popular job marketplaces is international. This makes competition tighter. Other countries may have talents that can rival US homegrown ones. But, they have a lower asking price for their services.
7. Work from Home, A Jumpstart for Startups
Telecommuting is a startup-generating activity. We mean this in two ways. First, these arrangements can help startups get cheaper professional labor and save on overhead costs. Secondly, many freelancers have eventually created their startups when their clients’ needs expand or when they get more clients.
Companies Outsource Their Troubles
In the first case, startup businesses always find it hard to find their desired capital and the right people for their jobs. Also, new business owners don’t have the slightest idea of HR-related laws and regulations. One way to hit all these three birds with one stone is to outsource employees from freelance marketplaces. In this way, they can save money as the rates will be cheaper than on-premise employees. Plus, there will be no overhead cost.
Furthermore, freelance markets like Fiverr and Upwork connect startups with high-value freelance professionals. So, it is highly likely that you can find the people that would match your requirements and maybe even exceed them. Moreover, new business owners can bypass the worries of employment laws and regulations. The online marketplace takes care of it all. So, we expect this trend to continue in the future.
Work from Home Professionals Become Business Owners
Also, many freelance professionals with such arrangements find success in creating startups. For instance, freelancers, like video creators, have started full-blown outfits out of doing freelance work at the beginning. Another perfect startup type spouting out from freelancing gigs is contact centers. This trend is caused by the growth of business clients with the help of freelance professionals. As they grow, they also need more workforce and services from their outsourced employees. The usual next step is to have these freelancers pool together a team to provide the same service at a larger scale.
Out of these comes the idea of just building your firm for freelancers. As they developed and realized their potential to provide greater value as a business owner with a company, they add to the number of businesses generated in the world.
Key Takeaways
- Online job marketplaces are great ways for startups to save on overhead and salary costs. Professionals and freelancers on these platforms offer significantly lower rates than those that have to commute and come in for work.
- Startups can outsource their worries like legal and payment processing services to these platforms.
- Many remote professionals have found their way into being business owners. With skills accrued from taking on different jobs from clients, they can now expand their one-person operation into managing teams of people to offer the same service at a bigger scale.
8. Content Creators Will Dominate Work from Home
In today’s world, consumer markets are online-heavy. So, companies want their brands to be more visible online. This includes their ads, logos, media, and, most importantly, content. As many digital marketers know, content is king. It has been, and it is likely going to stay for a very, very long while. Content is what people consume from news to videos. And, it is all online. Thus, content creators don’t have to go to any office to work. And, talented ones are the ones that brands need.
When we say content creators, we mean it in the broadest sense possible. These include video editors, graphic artists, writers, app creators, and even the ones that strategize for content. So, marketing professionals, including SEO specialists, coders, and user experience designers, are included too. Brands will need more and more people that have talents for these. And, as most of the work required for these jobs can be done remotely (and at home), we predict that there will be more content creators in the future.
Moreover, content creators and digital marketing professionals know the ins-and-outs of improving online visibility and engagement. It is also likely that more of these workers will venture into business. And, as many are used to working from home, these businesses will then create more jobs. Also, a good majority of these jobs are likely going to be remote jobs as well.
Key Takeaways
- Quarantine or not, people around the world consume internet content not only for entertainment but also to learn about products and companies. And, brands use content marketing strategies to get more visibility and engagement online.
- The demand of companies for good content creators will likely increase shortly. These include professionals that help strategize and manage content.
- Most tasks for these jobs can be done from the comfort of one’s home. We believe that professionals involved in content creation will dominate the industry share in the future.
9. Improved Diversity and Inclusivity in Teams
Diversity and inclusivity have been hot topics among companies, especially in the IT sector, for years now. So much so that businesses that fail to catch up with the modern cultural shift have suffered significant damages in their reputation. For example, several public backlashes led Uber to commit to a three-year goal of diversifying its members.
Organizations have begun to take various recruitment initiatives in hiring people from different backgrounds. That includes opening their ranks to remote workers. Because they are no longer bound by geographical limitations, companies can now hire the best talents regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
According to a Glassdoor study, employers worldwide are realizing the importance of diversity within their companies. As such, they are now investing in executives that will focus on developing and maintaining diversity and inclusivity. Consequently, remote workers are now considered great talent pools by D&I recruiters. A survey by IWG further supports the reports, showing that around 69% of American businesses now offer flexible workplace policies. The changing attitude towards inclusivity is encouraging companies to explore modern ways of working, such as telecommuting.
Key Takeaways
- Companies with work from home opportunities hire talents regardless of their location, gender, and ethnicity.
- Remote workers are becoming a viable pool of skilled employees.
- Flexible workplace policies provide opportunities for applicants not traditionally hired by companies such as those with disabilities or those located in another country.
10. Remote Work is the New Retirement
Working remotely is not exclusive to Millenials and Gen Z, as Baby Boomers are reentering the workforce through telecommuting. Around 45% of Baby Boomers have no retirement savings at all, and only about 55% have some funds in their bank accounts. With the increasing living costs in many cities in the world, many are choosing to work again or stay in their companies instead of retiring. Even those with enough funds to retire are choosing to delay it.
Working from home offers retirees the flexibility that an in-office position may be unable to provide. They are now less interested in advancing their careers. But, they want to keep themselves active without the stress of commuting or dressing up for the office. So, many at this age group work part-time remotely.
Besides, Baby Boomers already know the basics of using most technologies, such as laptops, social media, and productivity software. They just need a quick training or online course to improve their tech skills.
This also allows companies to diversify their teams, especially in areas where experience is needed. Baby Boomers can be paired up with Gen Z workers to create a two-way mentorship relationship.
Key Takeaways
- Baby Boomers are reentering the workforce through remote work opportunities.
- Telecommuting allows retirees to keep up with the increasing living costs without the stress of going to the office.
- Hybrid teams allow Gen Z and Baby Boomer employees to work together and mentor each other.
11. Virtual Reality and Holograms for Better Virtual Meetings
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are currently taking over the entertainment and gaming industry. In the United States alone, the VR market is expected to earn about $4.3 million in 2020. Furthermore, experts are expecting significant growth within the next five years, with up to 9.3 million in revenue by 2025. Hologram technology is following the same trends as well.
It would be unsurprising to see immersive technologies such as AR, VR, and XR in remote work, especially in collaboration and communication applications. In the next few years, you may be able to pop into your immersive display and meet with your colleagues instead of using videoconferencing. Moreover, this technology can improve your overall workflow. It can replace monitors with new immersive displays where you can gather, create, manipulate, and analyze data in new and exciting ways.
Similarly, there are existing hologram applications already in the entertainment industry, the engineering field, and similar lines of work. That means it is possible to have holographic meetings soon. Remote workers can join their in-office counterparts beyond the confines of a monitor. This makes brainstorming and collaboration much easier and faster. While more studies are required to achieve complete holographic representations, you can expect various forms of such technology in different consumer devices in just a few years.
Key Takeaways
- Innovations in virtual reality and hologram technology will have a significant effect on how telecommuters work.
- VR technology can improve meetings and workflows by providing virtual presence and better user interfaces.
- Holograms can help remote workers collaborate and communicate with their colleagues in the office using various media presence.
12. Remote Work Will Reduce Environmental Impact
By staying at home, employees can save the environment in many ways. For example, telecommuters significantly reduce the energy spent on driving and commuting. Also, they reduce the following pollutants produced during traffic:
- Air pollution stemming from dust particles and vehicles
- Oil and fuel consumption
- Water pollution from chemicals used on cars and other transportations
TelCoa reports that 74 million gallons of gas could be saved if 32 million Americans who could work from home do so at least once a week. This hybrid working set-up alone can prevent tons of carbon emissions, which can help curb the effects of climate change. The good news is the number of telecommuters is steadily increasing each year. In 2020, 4.7 million employees in the US are working from home full-time, which is a significant uptrend from 2015’s 3.9 million remote workers.
Furthermore, working in your home office significantly impacts your overall annual energy usage. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) considers telecommuting as a significant part of the climate change solution. Their research shows that about 9 to 14 billion kilowatt-hours of energy are saved each year when electronics are used to telecommute.
Key Takeaways
- Working from home helps save the environment by reducing pollutants produced when commuting or driving to and from the office.
- Tons of gas and fuel can be saved if a significant number of employees are given a chance to work from home, even for just one day a week.
- Using electronic devices to work from home saves billions of kilowatt-hours of energy each year.
13. Rising Mental Health Issues Among Remote Workers
The rise of remote working is also highlighting various mental issues experienced by work from home employees. In 2019, Buffer reported that out of the thousands of telecommuters surveyed, about 49% said wellness is one of the biggest struggles when working out of the office.
A remote employee has a significantly different lifestyle than someone who goes to the office. While it is freeing to step away from the confines of the cubicle to the comfort of one’s couch, it can be detrimental to someone’s mental health in the long run. Dr. Amy Cirbus, Ph.D. of Talkspace, noted that remote workers experience anxiety and depression more than their office-based counterparts.
Isolation and loneliness contribute significantly to various mental problems among remote employees. Additionally, job stability and performance cause anxiety and insecurity among these workers. All these may result in irritation, sadness, fatigue, and a feeling of disconnection. Some even report insomnia and lack of focus.
While there are current conversations about the mental and physical issues experienced by remote employees, major changes in health care policies are not yet happening as of the moment. Many health premiums do not cover mental health issues yet, so the burden of paying for such medical bills lies with the workers themselves at least for now.
Key Takeaways
- Wellness-related issues are one of the top concerns among telecommuters.
- Anxiety and depression are much more common among remote employees than their colleagues in the office.
- Mental health issues lead to physical problems such as insomnia and lack of focus, which can further affect a remote employee’s performance.
How are cybersecurity risks managed in remote work environments?
As remote work continues to grow, the importance of securing digital environments has become paramount. With employees accessing company data from various locations and devices, companies must adapt to prevent cybersecurity risks that threaten sensitive information. Here are key strategies companies employ to address cybersecurity in remote work settings:
- Use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Many companies require employees to use VPNs, which encrypt data and protect connections, reducing the risk of interception by malicious actors. This provides a secure, encrypted pathway from the employee’s device to the company’s servers.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that even if a password is compromised, unauthorized access is prevented by requiring additional verification, such as a phone code or biometric scan.
- Regular Cybersecurity Training: Employees working from home may be more vulnerable to phishing and social engineering attacks. Many organizations conduct regular training sessions to educate employees on identifying and avoiding security threats.
- Secure Wi-Fi Protocols: Companies encourage or mandate that employees secure their home networks with strong passwords and updated router firmware to prevent unauthorized access to the network used for remote work.
- Endpoint Security Solutions: With company data being accessed from diverse locations, endpoint security, including antivirus software, firewall protections, and intrusion detection systems, is crucial. This software monitors devices for any suspicious activity or malware.
- Data Encryption: Data encryption ensures that any data accessed or transferred remains secure and unreadable to unauthorized users. This is particularly important for handling sensitive information outside of the company’s secure network.
Is Work from Home the Future of Work?
Even before the novel coronavirus outbreak, many feel that work from home will be part of the future of work. But, as companies are forced to have flexible arrangements, more employees and business owners have experienced first-hand the best things working remotely has to offer. Even LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner expressed his intention of continuing to work from home even when things go back to normal.
But again, it is not for everyone. It is not for all kinds of jobs. Also, many who work from home feel pretty lonely. This is especially when they live alone. However, with technology and the rise of coworking spaces, we can bet that there will always be places where people can fulfill some of their social needs.
We think telecommuting will be a big part of the future of work. It’s not going to be for everyone. But, it is likely to stay and grow. So, be sure you get up to speed with remote work tools, tips, and best practices. It is time to future proof your job and business. And it is time to use our remote arrangements to better our physical and mental healths.
Are you an advocate of remote work? Do you have anything to say about our work from home trends 2020 roundup? Sound off in the comments section below. If you want to learn more about this topic, we highly recommend that you check out our guide on how to work remotely as well.
Key Insights
- Telecommuting Flexibility: The pandemic demonstrated the benefits of flexible workplace policies, which improve employee productivity and work-life balance.
- Global Adoption: COVID-19 accelerated remote work adoption, especially in sectors like technology, finance, and education, while challenging others like agriculture and manufacturing.
- Cost Savings: Both employees and companies save on costs such as commuting, office overhead, and equipment depreciation through remote work arrangements.
- Coworking Spaces: Despite a temporary setback during the pandemic, coworking spaces are poised for a strong comeback, catering to hybrid workforces and cost-conscious companies.
- App Usage Surge: There has been a significant rise in the downloads of work-from-home and indoor activity apps, a trend likely to continue post-pandemic.
- Freelance Economy: Remote work platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide ample opportunities for additional income, though competition is intense.
- Startups Boost: Telecommuting fosters startup growth by providing cost-effective professional labor and allowing freelancers to expand their operations.
- Content Creation: The demand for digital content creators is high, as companies seek to enhance their online presence, making remote work ideal for these professionals.
- Diversity and Inclusivity: Remote work enables companies to hire talent regardless of location, gender, or ethnicity, promoting more diverse and inclusive teams.
- Boomer Workforce: Many Baby Boomers are opting to work remotely, driven by insufficient retirement savings and a desire to stay active without the stress of commuting.
- Innovative Technologies: Virtual reality and holograms are emerging as tools to improve remote collaboration and meetings, enhancing the virtual work experience.
- Environmental Benefits: Remote work reduces the environmental impact by cutting down on commuting-related pollution and energy consumption.
- Mental Health Concerns: Despite its benefits, remote work can lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression due to isolation and job insecurity.
FAQ
- What are the main benefits of working from home? Working from home offers several benefits, including cost savings on commuting, meals, and work attire, improved work-life balance, increased productivity, and the flexibility to spend more time with family and on personal wellness.
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced remote work trends? The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, with many companies investing in better virtual tools and infrastructure to support a remote workforce. This shift is likely to continue even post-pandemic.
- What are some challenges companies face with remote work? Companies face challenges such as managing remote operations, establishing new protocols, providing technical training, and addressing concerns about reduced productivity and employee isolation.
- Will coworking spaces remain relevant post-pandemic? Yes, coworking spaces are expected to bounce back by adapting to the needs of hybrid workforces and offering cost-effective solutions for companies looking to reduce office space costs.
- What types of jobs are best suited for remote work? Jobs in technology, finance, education, content creation, and digital marketing are well-suited for remote work due to their reliance on digital tools and minimal need for physical presence.
- How does remote work contribute to environmental sustainability? Remote work reduces the need for commuting, leading to lower emissions of pollutants and fuel consumption. It also decreases the overall energy usage associated with maintaining large office spaces.
- Are there any mental health risks associated with remote work? Yes, remote work can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness. It is important for employers to provide support and resources to address these challenges.
- How does remote work promote diversity and inclusivity? Remote work removes geographical barriers, allowing companies to hire the best talent regardless of location, gender, ethnicity, or physical ability, thus promoting a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
- What role do virtual reality and holograms play in the future of remote work? Virtual reality and holograms are expected to enhance remote work by providing more immersive and interactive virtual meetings, improving collaboration and communication among remote teams.
- Can remote work be beneficial for retirees? Yes, remote work offers retirees the flexibility to continue working without the stress of commuting, allowing them to stay active and financially stable while contributing their experience to the workforce.
References:
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I think that the remote work trend will only get bigger as the days go on. With the pandemic going on and the importance on social distance, this will soon be a requirement. Everything will move virtually and there will be a few adjustments that need to be made because of this.
Our company went through major adjustments early April, we switched everything to productivity tools online such as Quire (project management), Zoom (video meetings), and Slack (communication).
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