What Is the 'Remote Work Revolution'?

What Is the Remote Work Revolution?

Remote work has not always been as commonplace as it is today, but the practice has been trending upward for many years. In fact, FlexJobs reported a 159% increase in remote work between 2005 to 2017.

Its increasing popularity can be attributed to a shift in attitudes about remote work, advancements in technology, and global events and trends. The remote work revolution signals huge changes in our conception of the modern workplace.

Previously, inflexible or inadequate tools made it difficult for companies to endorse remote work. Additionally, security of devices and data has, and continues to be, a top concern.

Steadily, workers’ shifting priorities, desire for more flexibility, and yearning for work-life balance have all influenced HR hiring trends.

Remote work revolution: Adjusting to global events and trends

The COVID-19 outbreak has also had a significant impact on the so-called remote work revolution. A survey of business uncertainty indicated that remote working rose fourfold from pre-COVID levels — going from 5% to 20%.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations shifted to remote work. But there is evidence that workers may want to retain remote work flexibility in the future. Recent analysis at Cardiff and Southampton universities found that 88% of remote workers wish to continue to work from home to some extent post-pandemic.

For organizations, the challenge lies in being able to provide help and stability around remote work tools, effective communication, and business transparency.

Furthermore, the pandemic has significantly altered how businesses recruit, collaborate, and connect with top talent.

HR departments have even increased their reliance on data-driven and actionable insights. In fact, 16% of supervisors now use technology that can help them assess internal communications and enable staff to check-in and out virtually.

Companies who have embraced the remote work revolution

Twitter: Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, has embraced remote work for years but told employees in 2020 that they could work from home forever, if they so choose.
Facebook: On May 21, Facebook, a social media giant, allowed its employees to work from home — a true indication that the remote work revolution is underway.
Nationwide Insurance: The Fortune 500 Company decided to close its small corporate offices and moved its 34,000 employees to remote positions or one of their other branches.

Emily Westbrooks

Emily is a Content Marketing Manager at Wrike. She brings over a decade of experience as a freelance journalist, editor, blogger, and author to Wrike, where she writes about the latest trends in work management, including remote working, and how work and life intersect in meaningful ways.

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