The future of work features a hybrid model comprising remote and in-house workers.
By 2024, up to 81% of US employers alone are expected to shift to this work model.
Remote work leads to a better work-life balance for the employees. Companies that have leveraged this strategy have seen increased productivity and profits.
It has created diverse and inclusive organizations with unparalleled flexibility. It’s a win-win for everyone. That’s precisely why this trend has become the new reality.
This article explores the impacts of remote work in the post-pandemic world.
A Quick Overview
The pandemic posed a near-existential threat to businesses worldwide. The social distancing measures and lockdowns crippled countless companies.
This unprecedented shift triggered a demand for remote job listings.
As of 2022, an estimated 26% of Americans were working remotely.
By 2025, Zippia estimates that around 36.2 million Americans will be full-time remote workers.
The Future of Remote Work
Below are a few significant trends that will populate the remote work landscape soon.
- New On-Demand Skills
Workplace disruption prompted employees to seek new skills.
Workers have to pursue new skills to cope with the changing job environment.
Job seekers are expected to have on-demand skills.
These include knowing how to use remote collaboration tools and document-sharing software.
Project management skills are also precious. These skills allow you to capitalize on the opportunities created by remote work.
- Demand for Soft Skills
This seismic shift at the office has also shone a light on soft skills.
Companies are interested in retaining workers with specific interpersonal skills nowadays.
Hence, candidates with refined communication and administration skills attract better pay.
Self-motivated and adaptable staff are in an all-time high demand. Other valuable soft skills in 2023 include leadership, management, and problem-solving.
- Population redistribution
Remote jobs have rattled the migration patterns of employees.
There is a mass exodus of people from densely populated urban centers to smaller cities.
After all, they can work from anywhere for the same rates, if not better. These employees save a fortune in transport and other basic amenities in the new cities.
This migration is inextricably linked to improved quality of living and offers the employees more time to spend with their families and loved ones.
- Migration ripples
The decongestion of our cities has severe implications for business owners.
Since the pandemic, many restaurants, retail shops, and pubs in big cities have closed down.
That’s because customers are moving elsewhere.
For instance, James Parrott, a leading economist, estimates that Manhattan has seen over 100,000, or 10% of the entire population, leave the city.
What’s Next?
There’s no denying that remote work is the new norm.
In a survey by FlexJobs, remote work found that up to 65% of its respondents have made up their minds to work remotely full-time.
This dynamic is poised to have a significant impact on the way we work moving forward.
Businesses will have to restructure and adapt to the changing times and employees must seek new on-demand skills to operate efficiently outside the traditional office.