Is remote work the future?

Our world changed drastically in late 2019/early 2020 and a lot of people are wondering if remote work is the future on a large scale. For some, remote work wasn’t new because they were already doing it, but for most, it was a huge change.

We have to keep in mind that different companies still have different policies, but one thing’s for sure – we will never go back to the way it was.

Whether we like it or not, remote work is the future, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop it. Not even big companies that are changing their policies and giving incentives for people to come to the office. A large majority of the workforce is gone forever into the remote workspace.

Of course, here we’re talking about work that can be done online, through emails and meetings. We’re not talking about manufacturing, construction, healthcare, beauty sector. Even though, believe it or not, all of these have adapted to remote work as well. They introduced new services and products that can be presented and sold online.

 

How did the businesses adapt?

When Covid-19 hit, all the business that could be done remotely was advised to do it. Therefore, a bunch of companies sent their employees home. We’re talking Big Tech, call centers, banks, and even government services.

This all showed us that remote work is the future because we simply had to adapt.

Sectors in which remote work wasn’t possible, like food and beauty, also adapted to the trend. Restaurants started doing takeaway and collection only. Beauty shops took their business online and went to sell products. Anything they can do to save the year at least a little bit.

If the past few years taught us anything, it’s that there’s a lot to be done outside an office. And it isn’t a bad thing.

 

Types of people when it comes to remote work

For the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on those businesses that can accommodate remote work.

People got used to working from home and most have turned their lives upside down to be able to accommodate it. We all have done it.

 

When it comes to killing off remote work and going back to the office, there are several groups of employees:

1. People who want to practice remote work because they’ve learned it’s the future. They’re productive and love working from home.
2. Those who want to go back to the office because they have too many distractions at home and/or they miss the social interaction with their peers.
3. Individuals who don’t mind the remote work but are ok going to the office occasionally.
4. Those who want the flexibility to choose for themselves when they’ll work from the office and when they’ll practice remote work.

Companies’ policies on remote work

Companies do have different policies on remote work and it depends on the leadership where they want to take it.

 

Some have embraced remote work as the future but there are others who are not to keen on the idea.

The second group wants people back in the office.

Reason? Probably long-term, expensive leasing agreements. They’re paying for offices no one is using and they’d rather have people sit in them. And they will need more time to adapt and rethink their business strategy.

However, there is no doubt that remote work is the future and if employees demand it, most likely, they will get it. Perhaps not straight away, but it will happen.

 

The third group consists of companies that want to try out a hybrid model. They will have people work from home for some days and expect them to be in the office occasionally.

The latest update of this article was in late July 2022, only a short time after the Netherlands brought the law that employees can legally request remote work. Ireland is on the same path, and the government is working on a bill that’d allow workers to request remote work. How will the companies react, and what will come out of it all – we’ll see! It is now November 2022 and there’s no official update on the government’s website, but workers are impatiently waiting for it!

Final thoughts

There are many benefits of remote work for both companies and employees. Truth be told, it depends on how you want to look at it.

 

Personally, I am in favor of whatever works for the business. So, if the employees are responsible and they’ve proven through the pandemic that they can work from home – leave them be. If it makes them happy, they’ll contribute more to the company. The worst thing someone can do is force those individuals to go back to the office. It’s quite dangerous, too, considering there are other remote work opportunities available.

 

I believe we’ll see a massive shift and movement of people from one company to another. Remote work is the future and one that people don’t want to give up. We can expect talent to move from top businesses unless they show more flexibility.

 

What if you’re stuck at a company that doesn’t think remote work is the future?

In that case, I’d suggest you have an open conversation with yourself. Is remote work important to you? If the answer is yes, then don’t settle. Start looking for another job, one that’s remote. Write a killer CV and cover letter, and start applying. Read more about the topic on our blog here and here.

Need help with your CV and cover letter? Browse our blog for exclusive tips, or order a professional CV and cover letter writing guide here. With it, you’re guaranteed to get more replies to job applications!

However, if you don’t like the idea of writing your own CV and cover letter, feel free to get in touch. We’ll happily do it for you. Let’s find your remote job together!