What Technology Staffing Agencies Like Ours Know About Remote Work So Far
Not hyperbole: there’s an elephant in the office at nearly every organization across the United States, and its name is Remote Work.
Maybe hyperbole: remote work is the largest societal change in the United States since the end of World War II (at least according to Ladders CEO Marc Cenedella).
Even if you don’t assess today’s work environment as passionately as Marc, the question of “do you prefer in-office, remote, or hybrid?” during your hiring process still persists in nearly every candidate experience. And while being considered a necessary albeit undesired consequence of 2020 for many business owners, remote work appears to be an enduring feature of the working world for 2023 and beyond.
According to the latest data, nearly 25% of all professional jobs in North America will be entirely remote by the end of this year. Well, what about 2023? Remote work is only expected to increase by the end of next year.
As a technology staffing agency, our experts dive into the present and future state of the remote work phenomena and, most importantly, share what it means for you and your hiring efforts below.
Why Remote Work Is Here to Stay
While the catalyst to the world of remote work is obvious, it may seem a little confusing why it’s still such a big deal for so many, even years later (“I just had dinner at a patio on Friday, it was packed!”).
After many had to work from home during the pandemic, these are some of the often-cited reasons why many workers want to continue to do so post-pandemic:
- Because they can (2022 is different than 2012–technological advancements have made working from home more possible than ever, and workers know it)
- More career opportunities
- Avoiding the commute
- More productivity
- Residence flexibility
- Environmental concerns
- Healthier work-life balance
The reasons why people feel unnecessarily stressed and taxed by being required to show up in-office for a job they feel they can perform just as effectively at home are myriad.
Simply put, the door opened to a world where you can do your job where you want to, and a considerable number of workers don’t want that door to close. And if it is at some organizations, they’ll look elsewhere.
The Future of Remote Work
Even just a few years ago, working remotely meant something entirely different than it does today.
Though it isn’t as necessary as it was in 2020, the driving force in its persistence is that it’s preferred. Remote flexibility is so preferred that 37% of workers would take a 10% pay cut just to work from home. Resembling this shift in public opinion, full-time remote work is expected to more than double in the next five years.
Despite the evident desire for remote work options, many employers want to bring people back into the office at least partially. The disconnect between employers and employees may seem to lie in the titles they occupy. In a recent study, 75% of executives reported they’d want to work in the office 3-5 days a week, while about 33% of employees wished to do so. 44% of executives reported they’d come back to the office every day, compared to 17% of employees.
As it stands today, carefully deciding on an in-office, remote, or hybrid policy will be key to successful hiring initiatives as we head into 2023.
How a Technology Staffing Agency Can Help
Walking the in-office vs out-of-office tightrope with candidates can be a challenge. But we can make it a whole lot easier. At RHM Staffing Solutions, we partner with top organizations throughout the Midwest to help them hire the best and brightest talent in tech. For your next mission-critical hire, we’ll act as an advocate for your unique needs and ensure only the ideal candidates are sent your way. Contact us today to get started.