Why Remote Work’s Popularity Is Not a Passing Trend

The number of employees working from home in some capacity skyrocketed across all industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is due to understandable factors such as safety measures and social distancing protocols, recent data has shown that this trend may not be slowing down even after the pandemic’s end. For example, in Owl Labs’ 2021 State of Remote Work Report, 57% of respondents that returned to traditional offices said they preferred working from home full-time. Furthermore, 1 in 3 of respondents said they would quit their job if they could no longer work from home after the pandemic.

Lucy Lyle, entrepreneur and founder of Perch, commented, “It makes sense that many employees have grown to enjoy working from home. Remote work has several significant benefits, such as no commute, more flexible work schedules, and a less stressful work environment.” Lucy Lyle added, “Many companies aren’t fond of remote work because they believe it lowers productivity. However, self-motivated employees can actually increase their productivity while working remotely.”

In the previously-mentioned study from Owl Labs, 90% of respondents said their productivity was at the same or higher levels as when they worked in a traditional office with a commute. When employees have the right temperament and habits for remote work, companies will discover that letting them work from home may be a good investment for the company’s future, especially since so many employees have grown to prefer working from home.

Lucy Lyle advised, “If you want to persuade your boss that you should be working from home, you have to take responsibility for the quality of your remote work. Be disciplined, keep a set schedule, and eliminate all distractions with no exceptions. ”