Remote Work By the Numbers

If you’ve gotten used to working from home, you’re not alone. Plenty of people are also pairing a collared shirt with pajama pants. Not only did the pandemic introduce the must-have fashion accessory of maskwear, it also ushered in a new era of remote work. And the benefits of working from home far surpass the savings on dry cleaning bills. But don’t take our word for it. You’re a numbers person, you say? Well you’re in luck, because in the three years and counting since the pandemic, there’s no shortage of tidy statistics to support the remote working cause. 

Remote work is saving companies money, improving the work/life balance of employees and churning out better quality performance. Research by Upwork states that by 2028, 73% of all departments are expected to have remote workers. Let’s dive into why companies are embracing the future of work and using numbers to support their switch to a remote/hybrid model. 

8 in 10 people are working hybrid or remote, while only 2 in 10 are entirely on-site. 

Basically, a lot of people are doing this now. Why? Real dollars and common sense have entered the equation to show businesses that remote work is a valuable asset. The pandemic forced the hand of many companies to scramble and support remote employees. But with the world largely open for business again, companies are continuing the practice. While the individual reasons vary, it’s clear that enough time has passed to see the benefits in stark contrast to a traditional office setup. Managers are witnessing the fruits of uninterrupted employees and the positive impact on their performance. Decision-makers are enjoying lower costs from forgoing office space. Recruiting departments are expanding their talent pool with access to applicants around the world. Practices that were once prohibited by a central office have now opened new doors and more opportunities for brands. 

Across industries, 87% of workers stated that remote work options improved their overall work-life balance. 

We know remote work keeps the pets happy, but what about the people? It turns out remote workers are so happy that if their employer suddenly said they were not allowed to continue working from home after the pandemic, 46% would look for another job. Ouch. Remote work promotes better flexibility for employees and more control over their day-to-day lives. This feeling of autonomy often improves employee loyalty and longevity to a brand, resulting in less turnover. As many companies shift to prioritizing the physical and mental health of their employees, remote work is a logical tool that promotes a healthy work/life balance to eliminate burnout. 

79% of US employees say their work from home setup has had little effect on their day-to-day performance. 

In addition to boosting employee satisfaction, remote work also improves productivity. Because interruptions can be annoying. Really annoying. And the ability to control the interruptions from the comfort of home is a game-changer. Not only does remote work cut down on distracting office politics, it also caters to individual working styles. Oftentimes when it comes to completing a project there is no one-size-fits-all approach.  The freedom to organize tasks and time improves focus and caters to an individual’s preferred work environment. The more productive and empowered an individual contributor feels, the greater the benefit to the team as a whole. 

If not allowed to work remotely, nearly 48% of employees say they would stay in the current role but be less willing to put in extra effort. And 46% would take a pay cut of up to 5% to work remotely at least part-time. 

Remote work is no longer an exception, it has become the rule. Employees expect and demand it. No, not every employee is going to adopt passive-aggressive tendencies and zone out for afternoon naps during meetings. But the more companies embrace remote work, the more commonplace it feels for employees to have choice and flexibility in their schedules. And the fact that employees are willing to throw their own money at the chance to work remotely speaks volumes for how important this issue is for many teams—especially when it comes to enlisting new talent out of college or those early in their career. These new trends are appealing to the next generation of workers who will someday have your company in their hands. 

Only 12% of leaders say they have complete confidence that their team is productive when working remotely. 

For many managers, there is an underlying fear that their employee’s cat is actually the one moving their mouse in an attempt to look busy. This begs the question, how can employers become more confident in remote work? A remote or hybrid work culture may be more attainable than some leaders think. The key to a successful shift happens when employers invest in the right tools to connect their remote teams. In fact, 38% of the workers said their employer had upgraded their remote work technology to improve hybrid collaboration. That’s a good start, but we think that could be massively improved. If this were a Business class, a 38% would be a failing grade, and that’s not going to pass. Scratch can help ace this remote work thing. We’ve mastered the art of bringing teams together, anywhere. Learn more about distraction-free progress, journaling, check-ins, rewards and more. Maybe it’s time to take another look at remote work and how it can benefit your company. 

Sources: 

Time Doctor. Top Remote Work Stats of 2021 to Watch in 2022. 11 Feb. 2023. https://www.timedoctor.com/blog/remote-work-stats/

Forbes. The 2022 Status Of Remote Work And Top Future Predictions. 8 Dec. 2022. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2022/12/08/the-2022-status-of-remote-work-and-top-future-predictions/?sh=a6fa17713108

 United States Census Bureau. The Number of People Primarily Working From Home Tripled Between 2019 and 2021. 13 Feb. 2023. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/people-working-from-home.html

Gallup. Returning to the Office: The Current, Preferred and Future State of Remote Work. 10 Feb. 2023. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/397751/returning-office-current-preferred-future-state-remote-work.aspx