The State of Remote Work at the End of 2019

| Photo by Peter-Paul Moschik on Unsplash

This decade has been a decisive one for the American workplace. Over the past 10 years, more and more workers have started to leave the office and work remotely. The change has even created a new type of worker — digital nomads who work from their computers and phones while travelling the world.

At the same time, businesses, realizing that opening remote positions can net them talent from across the country, are offering remote work — or going fully remote themselves.

The trend isn't expected to reverse any time soon, and it's causing serious long-term effects in the American workplace. Here is what we know about remote work at the end of 2019.

The Big Pivot to Remote Work

The pivot to remote work has been sudden. There are nearly 4 million remote workers, and more than 70 percent of them have gone remote in the last four years. About 23 percent of these workers are employed by a company that's fully remote.

The change comes at the same time as a few other big changes in how Americans work — like the rise of the gig economy, a growing number of freelancers and independent workers and new office arrangements, like coworking spaces. And while no one can say definitively whether or not remote workers will stay remote, there's no sign that they want the trend to reverse.

In fact, 99 percent of current remote employees want to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their careers. What's more, 95 percent of those employees recommend remote working to their friends and colleagues. And one in four workers have said they would take a 10 percent pay cut if it meant being able to work remotely. Nearly half of all workers said the same about a five percent pay cut.

It's not entirely clear what's driving the remote work trend. Part of the change may be generational. Most remote workers are looking for a better work-life balance — and Millennials and Gen Z, the two generations beginning to make up the bulk of the workforce, are the least satisfied among current workers with their work-life balance. 

Other reasons for the rapid growth of remote work may include increased schedule flexibility along with more freedom to travel without cutting into paid time off.

| Photo courtesy of Burstify & Matthew Henry

How Businesses Are Adapting to Remote Workers

While remote workers almost universally approve of the arrangement, employers are more divided on the topic of remote work. Some feared that remote work will make it harder to track employee productivity and maintain company culture, and yet when we’ve seen statistics reported by Stanford Business that working from home actually increases productivity by 13 percent . Some also worried that the change may contribute to employees' loneliness. But as larger corporations are testing out remote set-ups or even 4-day-work week, we’re seeing more employers look to remote work as a viable solution or even changing up the traditional 9-5 approach entirely.

Among Americans, feelings of loneliness and alienation are on the rise, and remote work may mean spending 40 hours of your week alone. But as 2019 has shown us, many remote workers are looking to online communities and resources like apps, podcasts, and group meditation. Remote companies are learning and experimenting with ways to continue team culture and to help remote workers find the resources they need.

Many stats this year support companies going remote. Companies that have gone remote saw a 10 percent retention rate and $11,000 savings per employee when they go remote.

The Future of Remote Work

Remote work has quickly become one of the most popular working arrangements. Remote workers almost unanimously want to continue working remotely for the rest of their careers. And while it’s not fully apparent what's driving the trend — some best guesses include the increased schedule flexibility and improvements to work-life balance— it feels safe to say that it isn’t a trend but a viable alternative for a company set-up.

Businesses, realizing that available remote positions can net them major talent (no matter they’re location) are offering remote work — or going fully remote themselves. Other companies, looking to capitalize on the pivot to remote and freelance work, have begun to offer services — like coworking spaces — needed by remote workers.

Not all employers approve of the shift to remote work, but based on the state of remote work in 2019, they will probably have to buckle down and adapt — it's likely that the number of remote workers will only increase in the near future. 

Guest blogger Kayla Matthews’ writes about personal and professional development topics and has been featured on The Muse, Inc.com, HR Daily Advisor and MakeUseOf. To read more from Kayla, please visit her blog,Productivity Theory.