In a fascinating study by Unified Communication Services, the number of mobile remote workers are about to explode. They forecast that 75% of workers will be remote by 2020. That is amazing as it is just a few years away.
What is most interesting, millenial workers are not looking at remote work as a perk but a natural right like working in an office.
For companies that are not ready for this change, attracting top talent will get harder as more and more workers want to have the benefits of remote work.
According to this study, the top reasons employees want remote work:
1. Sick child (35%)
2. Transportation issues (34%)
3. To avoid the long commute (30%)
4. Improve productivity (30%)
5. To avoid distractions of working in office (28%)
To lump all remote workers together into one bucket will be to make a mistake. There are several distinct types of remote workers:
- Full-time remote – these workers never darken the doors of an office. Sometimes, there are no offices to darken (see the story on WordPress offices). Full-time remote is the only option.
- Full-time remote with periodic office meetings – these meetings can be once a week, once a month, once a quarter, etc. This provides a chance to meet the other team members in person but preserves the benefits of being remote
- Mostly remote – they work 1 day in the office and 4 days a week remote
- Mostly in office – they work 4 days in the office and 1 day a week remote
- Periodic remote – they work 2-3 days a month remote based on personal needs (sick child, home repairs service person, etc.)
- Rarely remote – these workers will work remote less than 5 days a year remote – mostly under exceptional circumstances
As you can see, there are many variations on remote work. The correct answer for each person and company is to find the best combination that works for you.