People were working from home before the pandemic, but the events of 2020 made a perk into a necessity. Teams made the shift; now, not everyone wants to go back. For many, remote work makes sense. It’s not a fad, it’s here to stay. Here’s what you should know whether you’re an employer or an employee.
Who is still working remotely?
During the first part of 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) found that 22.7 percent of working Americans were still working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. BLS also found that 35.4 percent of workers were doing their job outside the office.
A Gallup Panel tracked employees from late 2020 to April 2021 and found remote work was highest among groups that worked in offices or behind computer screens. As much as 80 percent of white-collar workers reported telecommuting at least some of the time.
Younger workers, ages 25 to 54, were more likely to telework than other age groups. Women were more likely to work remotely than men because of the pandemic. However, the numbers of remote workers were much lower when job responsibilities included manual work or physical labor.
Some jobs always have to be done completely in person. If you are a dog groomer or dental assistant, or public transportation driver, you have to show up for the work to be accomplished. It’s impossible to install a new roof or perform surgery via an internet connection.
However, many workers found they could accomplish at least some of their work from alternate locations. Doctors provided more telemedicine, while engineers, computer science workers, and finance companies switched to almost completely remote.
Benefits of working remotely
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Improved work-life balance – People spend less time commuting. They have more control over their schedule, so they can more effectively juggle personal and professional tasks.
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Fewer work-related expenses – Workers save on transportation costs. They can prepare food at home rather…
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