Remote work has been common for a few years now, which means that both workers and employers have gotten used to this way of working and established the best ways to make it work. Due to the fact that it came about so quickly, many workers and organizations struggled initially, and there were teething pains for many businesses. A lot has changed over the last few years in terms of remote work, and there are now a number of trends that have emerged that are changing the way in which people work. Keep reading to discover the main remote work trends right now and how they are changing people’s work and lives.
Table of Contents
Hybrid Work
Hybrid work is one of the most notable trends to emerge in the last few years. Many organizations have adjusted to a hybrid work model, which involves employees splitting their time between working at home and the office. Not all roles are well-suited to remote work, some people find it difficult to be productive from home, and some companies prefer to have their employees in the office. By implementing hybrid work, it can provide the best of both worlds and keep all employees happy.
Flexible Schedules
Another trend to emerge in more recent times is greater flexibility with scheduling. Nowadays, many organizations are extremely flexible when it comes to remote work. Often, this involves establishing a few core hours during the day when employees need to be available, but workers are free to set their own schedules outside of this. One of the main benefits of remote work is the freedom that it can provide, so flexible schedules further this and allow people to create a schedule that fits around the other important parts of their lives.
Global Recruitment
While some businesses require employees to come into the office a few days a week, there are some that have fully embraced remote work and taken advantage of the larger net that it provides when it comes to recruitment. When you do not need employees to come into the office at all, there are no limitations in terms of geographical location. Therefore, businesses can recruit employees from overseas to ensure that they are getting the best talent.
Digital Nomadism
Following this, a remote worker trend that has emerged in recent times has been digital nomadism. When workers do not need to come into the office, they can technically work from anywhere (provided they have an internet connection). Therefore, there is a growing culture of digital nomads who travel the world and work at the same time. This is a fascinating trend to keep an eye on as it completely changes the way in which people live their lives with no fixed location.
Emphasis On Mental Health
There are many things to like about remote work from an employee’s point of view, but there are some drawbacks. Many people struggle with their mental health because it can be easy to feel isolated. Additionally, people can find it challenging to separate work and home, which can take its toll. Fortunately, this has been recognized in recent times, and many organizations now place an emphasis on mental health. This can include many things, such as:
- Regular check-ins
- Flexible hours
- Manageable workload
- Mental health days off
- Virtual team building activities
- Access to mental health resources
High-Speed Internet
Many remote workers have also had to upgrade their broadband plans in recent times. Remote workers need to have fast, reliable broadband that can handle video calls and other demanding tasks, but often they will be working in a house with multiple remote workers and/or other people who are streaming, downloading, gaming, and other activities. Therefore, remote workers need to work out what their entire household needs are and find internet providers near Dallas that can provide them. It is important to find a company that offers high speeds, no restrictions, and a range of plans to find the best one for your needs.
Performance Tracking
One of the challenges that employers face with remote work is that it can be challenging to track employee performance when you no longer share a physical space. As a result of this, many companies have turned to performance-tracking tools. Performance tracking tools can provide a deep insight into the performance and productivity levels of remote workers so that any issues can be identified and addressed before they evolve into larger problems.
Home Office Allowances
It is in the best interest of employers that their remote workers have dedicated home offices that enable them to work to a high standard. Therefore, many companies provide a set amount of money for employees to spend on home office equipment or reimburse them for items that will help them to be productive each day. This could include things such as:
- Ergonomic office chairs
- Laptops/computers
- Printers and scanners
- Headsets
- Speakers
- Webcams
- Office supplies
- Software
Cybersecurity
Finally, cybersecurity is another major and essential trend right now. Ever since the normalization of remote work, there has been a sharp rise in cyber attacks. Businesses and employees conducting more activities digitally has created new opportunities for cybercriminals. Cybercriminals are using increasingly advanced tactics and technologies to cause damage, so businesses and remote workers have had to take action. Businesses now invest heavily in cybersecurity and provide cybersecurity training for remote workers so that they can identify scams and know how to stay safe when working remotely. It is vital that remote workers know how to work safely and protect data to prevent cyber attacks from causing virtual and real-life damage.
These are a few of the main trends that have been shaping remote work in recent times. It has been fascinating to see how remote work became normalized just a few years ago and has already changed so much about both business and life. Remote work is also constantly changing as organizations and employees work out what works best and how they can overcome some of the challenges that can arise with this way of working.
