Remote work statistics: what do the numbers say?
January 26, 2023
December 28, 2023
The volume of remote work has greatly increased since the COVID-19 crisis. More teams work on a fully remote or a hybrid work model. Are you one of the companies that offer more flexibility to their workforce? Do you want to know what the remote work statistics* say? This includes topics like: productivity, engagement, worker satisfaction, staff retention, talent attraction, equity, and inclusion…
Is working from home or a third workplace really making a difference? We hear a lot of opinions about allowing people to work from anywhere. While this is undoubtedly an employee expectation, some businesses are still hesitant about this modern way of working. But, if you read on, the numbers we are sharing will give you a better understanding of the impact of this new approach to working on your workforce and your company. First, let’s answer the most commonly asked questions on Google about remote work with key figures based on the most recent working-from-home studies. We’ll then share more details on hybrid work and important takeaways to help you embrace the future of work successfully!
Remote work statistics: answers to your questions
What percentage of employees want to work remotely?
According to the American Opportunity Survey* conducted in the spring of 2022, 87% of the U.S. workforce chooses to work flexibly when they can. Moreover, a study from Owl Labs shows that:
- 37% of job seekers would reject an offer if it doesn’t include flexible work options.
- 28% would say no to a new job if it doesn’t provide flexibility in regard to the work location.
- 28% would refuse a new career opportunity if this would mean going back to the office full-time
Are remote workers really more productive?
According to Cisco, 76% of teleworkers affirm they are just as successful at home as when they are in the office and 59% of them declare seeing greater levels of self-improvement in job knowledge and skills.
But, does working from home make them productive? 60.4% of employees believe their productivity increases when working remotely. The main reason is the absence of distractions when working from home or a third workplace like a coworking space. In the Owl Labs research conducted in France, Germany, Nordics, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, 32% of managers say they have noticed a gain in employee productivity.
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Are remote teams happier?
Remote work statistics show that employee happiness increases among remote teams. On a global scale, 82% of workers declare being happier and more motivated to do their job when having the choice to work remotely. In Germany, this figure goes up to 79%, 78% for Spanish teams, 75% for French staff, and 72% for the Italian workforce. These numbers are not surprising knowing all the perks of flexible work.
What advantages are remote work statistics revealing?
Higher productivity and better work-life balance are two major benefits, but there are many more. A “work from anywhere” policy increases employee wellness as it improves the five pillars of well-being (financial, physical, social, emotional, and mental). According to Cisco, more than 76% of remote workers saved money last year. 68% saw a positive impact on their physical health, 55% affirmed being less stressed, and 82% noticed being happier and more motivated at work. From a social point of view, 74% had better family connections, and 44.3% strengthened their relationships with colleagues. Lastly, 57.1% believe remote work opportunities are good for the company’s culture.
What are the numbers saying about the downsides of working remotely?
Statistics reveal three major areas that need to be improved in remote work models: DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), trust, and workplace technology. 41% of employees feel that remote workers don’t have equal opportunities for career growth. 43% think being promoted is less likely when working remotely. 55,3% declare that signs of micromanagement have increased and 58,9% of workers say they trust their colleagues less in a remote work model. Digital teams also express challenges when it comes to online meetings. 74% of them find it difficult to contribute to a virtual conversation and 72% feel disengaged.
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Interesting statistics about working remotely part-time: the best choice in terms of flexibility
Fully remote work schedules decrease but hybrid work models increase
While working fully remotely became mandatory for many employees during COVID-19, this model is now an option. But many businesses choose not to maintain this way of working and instead opt for a part-time remote work system. This compromise is ideal as it allows one to experience the benefits of working from home without the downsides (workplace disconnection, isolation, lack of social interactions with colleagues…). Therefore, the fact that companies abandon fully remote schedules for hybrid work models is no surprise. According to a Gallup study about returning to the office, hybrid work increased from 42% to 49% between February and June 2022, and will probably reach 55% by the end of the year.
Employees believe in workplace technology to embrace flexible work successfully
Managing a hybrid workplace without rethinking your office design or equipping your teams with digital tools can be challenging. 76.8% of employees consider technology to be one of the top three drivers for transition to flexible work. From online communication platforms to desk booking software and virtual reality solutions, they believe having access to these resources is fundamental to being future-proof. Owl Labs research reveals that 39% of workers expect the metaverse to improve flexible work. Among Gen Z, this number reaches 50%.
Part-time remote statistics confirm the better work-life balance
Improving work-life balance is a major benefit of remote work because it allows employees to save time which they can reinvest in personal activities. According to Cisco, 64.2% of the global workforce saves up to four hours per week when having a hybrid work schedule. This percentage increases in countries with commuting challenges like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. But removing office distractions also contributes a lot to the amount of time saved. Another interesting finding is that this increase in work-life balance is felt by all generations in the workplace. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all observe that it “somewhat improves” or “considerably improves” when hybrid or remote working.
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European employees express the same expectations as other workers globally
Are European employees willing to embrace hybrid work like the rest of the workers worldwide? Remote work statistics show that this trend is also happening in European companies. According to Deloitte Insights, 33% of EU workers expect “changes in the regulatory framework to facilitate the adoption of more flexible working conditions”. Likewise, 62% of European employees wish to work from home more often in the future. In the Netherlands, the percentage of staff members working at least partially remotely went from 42.7% to 65% between 2020 and 2022. In France, remote work statistics show that teleworkers were 29.8% in 2020 and 40.9% in 2022.
Working-from-home studies: the most important takeaways
This is a lot of data to take in at once. However, being aware of these trends and shifts in the workplace is essential to remain an attractive business for talent and to ensure future success. Here is the major information you need to remember when it comes to remote work.
The positive aspects revealed by the latest remote work statistics
- Flexible work arrangements are fundamental to retaining and attracting talent.
- Working remotely can increase employee productivity when implemented with the right strategy.
- Remote teams are happier and more motivated than others.
- Work-from-home studies confirm the impact of remote work on employee well-being.
- Telework plays a major role in improving work-life balance.
- Corporate culture gets better when organizations allow remote work scheduling.
- Hybrid work largely wins over fully remote and fully in-office options.
- European workforces expect to see more flexible work opportunities as much as employees in any other continent.
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The areas of improvement highlighted by the most recent work-from-home studies
- Workers see the use of technology as a must to make the most of flexible work.
- Working remotely should not keep remote employees from growing professionally.
- Micromanagement tends to increase when people are working outside of the office.
- People are less likely to trust their colleagues in a remote work environment.
- Working online raises some communication and disengagement issues that companies need to tackle.
Were you determining which working model to adopt before reading this article? Comparing different work-from-home studies confirms the idea that working remotely offers a lot of advantages to businesses and their employees. Nevertheless, remote work statistics reveal that implementing a hybrid work model is the best compromise to meet employees’ expectations in terms of work flexibility. The advantages of hybrid work include a boost in productivity, work-life balance, employee well-being, and corporate culture. Are you ready to embrace the future of work? Are you wondering how to manage a flexible workplace? Request a free demo of the deskbird app and discover how our technology can help you and your employees enjoy all the benefits of flexible working!
*All the data mentioned in this article comes from the following sources:
