Remote Work Efficiency: A Statistical Analysis

Effectiveness Of Remote Working – What Do Statistics Reveal?

Rapid implementation of remote working is probably one of the most drastic changes in the global job market in 2020. However, employers have always been sceptical of its effectiveness. Is remote working worth the deal? Can this working culture raise the productivity level of your workforce? If these concerns keep you from a remote workforce, here is a detailed statistics-based study on remote working and why you should consider it.

The article provides statistical insights into how remote workers performed after the onset of COVID-19 and their productivity based on multiple factors.

Remote Working Trends After The Onset Of The Pandemic

Remote working was once a common work culture among large software companies, but its popularity across industries has skyrocketed since the outbreak of the pandemic. The unfortunate shutting down of offices, lockdowns and dread of disease spread during the pandemic necessitated most businesses to operate remotely. And surprisingly enough, remote working has become the norm ever since. The remote workforce has grown dramatically throughout this period, a surge that is likely to continue.

However, a certain level of mistrust over its efficacy and productivity persists. If you are interested in taking up a remote job opportunity or an employer willing to implement improvements in your system, here is a perfect set of statistics to guide you in making your decision.

Remote Working Statistics & Trends For 2021 And Beyond

88% of global organizations adopted remote working

According to a Gartner report, almost 88 per cent of global organizations have adopted remote working as a part of their work culture since the pandemic outbreak. Almost all of them have made telecommuting an option for their employees as they have shut down their physical offices. This report also states that 97% of the companies have cancelled all travels related to work.

56% of organizations have embraced remote working 

Reports from Owl Labs reveal that 56% of companies have attempted full-time work-from-home arrangements for a while now. This means that a little less than half the global workforce is still required to be physically present at their offices. The main reason for this is likely to be the nature of their jobs.

52% of the workforce have a hybrid work environment

Depending on how the business operates, some industries can’t function remotely, and they may need to be physically present at the worksite. The same Owl Labs reports show that 52% of global workers work remotely once a week and 68% once a month. This hybrid working style is specific to certain jobs and industries where employees may have to work remotely over the weekend or during the night.

18% are engaged in a full-time remote working gig

Some companies have made their work-at-home positions full-time gigs requiring employees to stay at home and work. While remote working is not a new trend for many industries, there has been a steep rise in this culture over the last decade.

A record 173% increase in remote work was observed between 2005 and 2017. The rise of remote working in the last year also indicates that the trend is likely to continue.

77% of the remote workforce find themselves more productive 

The productivity issue has been a major concern among employers who are sceptical of remote working. A statistical report from CoSo cloud, however, reveals that 77% of remote workers claim they feel more productive when working from home. Here is another stat to affirm this case further. 

About 37 per cent of remote employees surveyed by Airtasker felt that taking breaks between jobs contributed to their increased output. Similarly, about 33% of the survey’s respondents believe that defined work hours help them stay focused.

If you still have concerns about your remote workforce’s productivity, consider using a remote employee monitoring software like Flowtrack. Using these tools can ensure that your employees take timely breaks and remain productive throughout the workday.

80% of remote employees reported fewer work-related stress

The increased productivity rate of remote employees can be attributed to the stress-free environment at home. A study by Amerisleep found that about 80% of remote employees work without stress at home. 12.75% of the respondents also attributed less stress due to fewer distractions at home. The lesser they are stressed, the more engaged they are. Employee management platforms like HRAPP also play a crucial role in ensuring the productivity levels of employees.

53% are happy with the flexible schedule

The flexibility in schedules, along with a stress-free environment, indeed makes remote jobs more desirable. Several reports indicate that the global workforce agrees that staying at home makes them feel their best. A satisfied employee is likely to be more productive.

25% less turnover reported

There is no doubt that remote working has made employees happy and more satisfied. A higher level of convenience and satisfaction has contributed to a lower turnover rate, which is beneficial for companies.

55% believe that remote working is good for industry’s growth

With industries like finance, software and data-based companies embracing remote working as an inevitable practice, hopes are high for other sectors as well. A LinkedIn survey from 2020 suggests that over 75% of remote employees expressed their belief that remote working will be the future of all industries.

It is no surprise that 57% of finance employees work from home, as revealed by a study by the U.S Bureau of Labor and statistics, and the numbers are expected to grow in the future as well. Industry sectors like transportation, however, have no other option but to remain in the field.

30% of employees claim that they have saved significantly

Less commuting and fewer expenses have made remote working the best way to save money. The survey reports of CoSo cloud claims that about 30% of remote employees are now able to save almost five grand per year. Similarly, the companies also make big savings given the reduced operational expenses towards utilities, rent, internet and other maintenance.

Despite all the positive developments with remote working, there are also a few downsides.

19% of remote employees complain of loneliness

Loneliness happens to be a significant drawback of remote working. Its impact on mental and emotional well-being can be detrimental to productivity and needs to be resolved at the earliest. Fortunately, companies are embracing various initiatives to resolve these issues. Face to face meetings, virtual parties and even virtual team building activities are organized to eliminate psychological issues to a great extent.

54% are sceptical about the security of IT infrastructure

The issues pertaining to infrastructure security like data breaches and threats have become a major cause of concern for employers. Considering that the physical infrastructure is increasingly out of reach, monitoring the infrastructure security has indeed become more critical.

99% of remote employees would like to continue to do so

After the initial connectivity hiccups and productivity concerns, it appears that employees are more willing than before to continue working remotely. A buffer study indicates that 99% of respondents are satisfied with the flexibility and freedom this working style offers. Additionally, it is a double win for employers since they can keep their employees longer.

Key takeaway:

Workplace statistics indicate that remote working is here to stay. Working through the model has helped the companies save significant amounts of money and hire diverse talent. In fact, remote working culture gives you greater freedom to be flexible and productive.