Recent Survey Suggests Remote Work Options are Preferred

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – While the numbers of remote workers have gradually dropped post pandemic, according to a Gallup poll last fall 45 percent of workers employed full time were still working remotely. Sixty-seven percent of the remote workers polled were in white-collar jobs, of which 41 percent worked exclusively from home.

While Hybrid work options came out ahead at 54 percent of preferences, 91 percent of the workers polled hoped to retain the option to work remotely. Of those that preferred to work remotely full time, 52 percent cited avoiding commute time as the main factor to their preference, and 44 percent cited wellbeing as a contributor.

The American Opportunity Survey released earlier this week seems to suggest workers aren’t giving up on the idea of maintaining remote work options any time soon. Released between March 15 th and April 18 th , the poll tapped into the opinions of 25,062 adults employed full time. Fifty-eight percent stated they worked remotely at least one day a week, and 35 percent stated they had the option of working from home full time for 5 days a week. Additionally, the poll showed that when given flexible work options, 87 percent take the opportunity.

According to the survey analysts, 58 percent of remote workers would be equivalent to 92 million people. At 35 percent that work remote on a full time basis, the equivalent is 36 million. The 42 percent that were not offered remote work options equates to 66 million workers who don’t get to work from home.

Analysts noted that workers that had higher incomes, more education, and were younger had more options for working remotely. Additionally, men appeared to have more remote options. For men, 38 percent stated they worked full time and 23 percent stated they worked remote part time. By comparison, only 30 percent of the women polled worked remotely full time and 22 percent worked at home part time. Of those that identified as Transgender/nonbinary, 15 percent stated they worked remotely full time, and 17 percent part time.

The top occupations that offered remote work options included computer/mathematical, business and finance, architecture/engineering, arts and entertainment, legal, social sciences, and management.

Additionally, around 50 percent of those working in education instruction and library occupations, and 45 percent of healthcare and technical workers reported that they do at least some remote work. While most polls have shown white-collar jobs to make up the bulk of remote jobs, the McKinsey survey shows a slight change. Surprisingly, food preparation and transportation workers reported at least some remote work.

When asked about what motivates them to seek a new job, flexible working arrangements ranked third at 21 percent. The top motivator reported was greater pay or hours at 47 percent, followed by better career opportunities at 27 percent. Better health insurance ranked fourth at 16 percent, followed by a tie for predictable hours and greater sustainability at 15 percent each.

When asked about the obstacles they faced in working remotely, the analysts found that those with flexible arrangements were most likely to report multiple obstacles. Mental health was cited by 55  percent of those employees aged 18 to 34, while only 17 percent of those 55 to 64 listed mental health as an obstacle. Full time remote workers with children were more likely than their peers without children, to report physical health or a hostile work environment as their main work obstacle.

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