Does remote work work? 7 insights into the future of remote work

While most of us have found ways to get used to working outside the office, researchers have been look

ing into it. Many are wondering: What is the future of remote work? What researchers found when examining trends and responses to telecommuting might surprise you. Read on to learn some of the key takeaways about the future of remote work and how your company can adapt accordingly.

1. The percentage of people working remotely is only expected to increase

The trend of more and more people working outside the office is expected to continue. Forbes recently released a survey that suggests the number of employees working remotely will double by 2021. Looking further into the future, it is predicted that by 2025, 70% of the workforce will be working remotely.

The big technology companies, which have always been leaders in innovation, have already responded to this development. Facebook, Shopify, Twitter, Dropbox and Spotify are just a few of the tech giants that have introduced policies that allow it enable employees to continue working remotely in the future. And these changes aren't just affecting the tech industry: Outdoor retailer REI announced that it would sell its brand new campus in Washington before it opened and instead rely on telecommuting.

2. Some industries have greater potential for the future of telecommuting than others

A recent study by McKinsey & Company found that the potential for successful remote work depends on several factors, including: Type of industry has the greatest impact on the success of remote work in a company. The finance and insurance sector is well suited to enable remote working, followed by management, business services and Information technology .

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Industries that have the least potential to integrate remote work into their future are those that rely on physical care, labor, or operating machines, such as: such as construction workers or dialysis nurses, and tasks that rely on collaboration and have a greater impact on success when completed in person, such as: B. Primary school teacher. Overall, however, the sectors with the greatest potential for remote work are concentrated in workers with college degrees or higher.

3. Productivity doesn't have to suffer when working from home

The question of how to monitor and improve telecommuting productivity has been a major concern for managers and other business leaders who have plunged headfirst into working from home. The data now proves that we can work remotely without any loss of productivity. In fact, many people report feeling more productive when working outside the office, and employers report having more confidence in their employees' productivity as the popularity of telecommuting increases.

The right digital solutions also make a difference. Companies should therefore choose virtual platforms that meet their individual needs - be it in the field, at home or in the conference room. This post is dedicated to this topic.

4. A telework plan requires frequent, robust communication

For most companies, future remote work will require a thorough overhaul of many processes and policies, as well as a plan to communicate these changes.

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According to data from McKinsey and Company The lack of communication about future work planning is a source of anxiety for more than half of remote workers, leading to lower employee satisfaction and productivity, adding that companies that have clear guidelines for their future work plans , see an increase in employee productivity and well-being. Even when the future is uncertain or strategies are not yet set, employees expect to be informed about the latest developments.

5. A remote work schedule requires a different type of performance management

Forbes predicts that “rethinking how goals are set and identifying key performance metrics will be critical to managing remote workers in the new normal.” Employee well-being and engagement will be essential factors in delivering high-quality work performance. Part of this can be achieved through thoughtful digital planning. Smart meetings and other video conferencing solutions have a variety of features that keep participants engaged and can be used to accelerate communication and collaboration, as well as to schedule private one-on-one meetings for ongoing feedback.

6. A hybrid working model may be the way to go

While remote work is a generic term for work outside of the office, many companies are choosing to do so hybrides Modell to find a compromise between the needs of the company and the wishes of their employees.

To put it simply, combine one hybrid working model Remote work with time in the office. Target, Ford, Microsoft and Amazon have all announced that they plan to adopt a hybrid work model in the future. A hybrides Modell can offer the best of both worlds - it can mean lower business costs for the company while keeping employees happy, healthy and motivated. However, as with any form of telecommuting, there is a risk that employees will burn out. Therefore, companies must ensure that their digital communication plans are as solid as those for remote working.

7. Digital investments are critical to the future success of telecommuting

Since productivity is key to the future of remote work, companies need to invest in digital solutions that enable their employees to work and collaborate efficiently. Nothing kills productivity faster than slow networks, inadequate software, or clunky hardware.