More than 30 percent of the workforce is working remotely, a jump from 23 percent in just five years.
Executive Vice President of payroll organisation ADP International Virginia Magliulo said this included growing numbers of people becoming “digital nomads” who worked while travelling the world.
“For many workers, the days of relentlessly commuting to the workplace every day are long gone,” she said in an article released today.
“Our research shows that almost a third (31 percent) of the workforce is working remotely, up from less than a quarter (23 percent) at the start of this decade.
“While some employers are keen to get everyone back on-premises full-time, others are embracing more flexible arrangements which offer many advantages – though there are significant challenges to overcome too.”
Ms Magliulo said remote working was helping organisations to expand across borders and accommodate a geographically diverse workforce.
“Employers can recruit from a far broader talent pool, increasing the chances of finding candidates that fit the specific requirements of a role,” she said.
“Meanwhile, a more expansive universe of opportunity opens up for those individuals, enabling them to earn a good wage in areas with a lower cost of living and potentially lower travel costs.”
Younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, ranked work-life balance as a top priority when choosing an employer.
Offering remote or hybrid working options helped with retention rates of skilled and valued staff, and boosted engagement and loyalty.
On the flipside, Ms Magliulo said there was still debate around whether remote workers were more or less productive than their workplace-based colleagues.
“Managing staff and encouraging collaboration among teams tends to be easier in person,” she said.
“Similarly, workers who never go into the workplace may feel less visible. Younger people may miss out on the chance to learn from their more experienced colleagues, while parents who balance work and childcare may worry that they are viewed as less “present” at work.”
Working remotely could also cause some people to feel they have to be “always on’. This could result in longer hours and higher stress and anxiety.
