Is Remote Work Still the Future? Current Pros, Cons, and Trends

Today, remote work has become the preference of many employees rather than a necessity.

During the pandemic, 64% of employees worked from home due to workplace closures, while 36% chose to do so. By 2022, the trend flipped — 61% now choose not to go into the office, and 38% work remotely because their workplace is unavailable.

But some organisations are still pushing to get people back in the office, while others have fully embraced remote work or adopted hybrid work models.

⚡Does that mean that remote work isn’t popular anymore? What does the data tell us now, a few years later?

Let’s explore some of the latest trends, pros, and challenges and find out if remote work is still the future.

The Pros of Remote Working

📈 In Buffer's 2023 State of Remote Work report, 91 percent of respondents had positive experiences and stated they enjoyed working remotely.

Flexibility is still one of the top benefits of remote work, and that’s no surprise. Most employees prefer remote work because it allows them to manage their schedules and reduce commuting time.

This flexibility has also made remote work an attractive option for organisations. With the geographic barrier removed, organisations can now broaden their talent pool. They can find and hire skilled professionals from anywhere in the world, resulting in more diverse teams and often cost-effective hiring.

For organisations, remote work also means reduced overhead costs.

With fewer employees, on-site expenses such as office rent, utilities, and supplies can be significantly reduced. This financial gain has motivated many organisations to stick to remote work or offer a “work from anywhere” policy as a part of their strategy. For some businesses, this has also made a shift in productivity.

With fewer distractions, employees can be more efficient when completing tasks, achieve a better work-life balance, and improve their overall well-being.

 The Cons and Emerging Challenges of Remote Working

One of the main challenges reported by employees is the feeling of isolation. Working from home can sometimes leave employees disconnected from colleagues and company culture. Without in-person interactions, fostering a sense of teamwork and belonging can be challenging.

Other common challenges include communication fatigue, low employee engagement, difficulty unplugging after work, and difficulty managing time zone differences.

Productivity is another mixed bag when it comes to remote work. While some employees excel working remotely, others struggle, decreasing productivity.

⚡ Here are some tips to help deal with these challenges.

For organisations

• Create virtual social spaces: Host regular team-building activities and virtual events to foster connection.
• Encourage healthy boundaries: Promote flexible working hours and respect off-hours to prevent burnout.
• Offer training and development: Provide access to courses or upskilling sessions to boost engagement.

For employees

• Set clear work hours: Stick to a schedule to help unplug after work.
• Establish a dedicated workspace: Create a distinct area for work to support mental separation from home life.
• Take short breaks to recharge: Step away from your desk to avoid screen fatigue and improve focus.

Is Hybrid Working the Future of Working from Home?

As of June 2024, UK workers' arrangements were as follows: 14% worked fully from home (down from 38% in 2020), and 26% used a hybrid model, combining home and office work (ONS).

While there’s a mixed reaction to the future of remote working in the UK, hybrid working is gaining traction. This model seems to offer a great solution to many challenges businesses face today.

A 2023 survey by McKinsey revealed that 63% of companies in the UK have adopted hybrid working models.

The reason?

Well, the hybrid work model is great at combining the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of collaborative working and socialising in the office. So today, we see more businesses embracing hot-desking, breakout rooms, and tech-enabled meeting spaces to support this blend of in-office and remote work.

Here are some key hybrid work trends:

➡️ Employee-centric schedules: Hybrid schedules are shifting to accommodate employee preferences.

➡️ Relaxed office rules: Many businesses are reducing strict requirements for in-office work to keep employees happy.

➡️ Data-driven office design: Offices will be designed based on how employees use them to improve collaboration and productivity.

➡️ Value of commuting: Employees want the office to offer a worthwhile experience to justify their travel.

Here's an interesting takeaway from our new Service Desk Benchmarking Report: When we asked, "Where do you primarily work?" 31% said they’re based in the office, 20% work remotely, and a whopping 49% said are in a hybrid setup. This data highlights the growing trend toward hybrid work environments, emphasising the need for flexible support structures that accommodate both in-office and remote employees.

While remote work structures may evolve, this flexible business model is here to stay. Remote options are likely to grow even further as technological advances, like AI, play a significant role in managing remote staff and enhancing productivity.

This means that both hybrid and remote work will continue to shape the future of work!

Whether you prefer working remotely, in a hybrid setup, or the office, our recruitment team is here to help. If you need career advice or are looking for your next opportunity, feel free to contact us at 📞 07766103649, email us at ✉️ kw@sdi-e.com, or book a discovery call with our Head Recruiter Keith Wilkins. We’re always happy to chat!