Knowledge base
August 22, 2021
Three quarters of people now want to work from home forever
A survey shows that three-quarters of American workers now want to work from home forever.
The survey, which surveyed 2,000 Americans who still work from home, found that most employees would like to continue working remotely even after the coronavirus pandemic is over.
OnePoll conducted the survey on behalf of Kintone to find out whether employees don’t go to the office or prefer to work from home.
The poll weighed work-life balance and whether working remotely can actually make jobs more difficult.
The poll found that 48% of employees say their most desired perk in the workplace is good company policy regarding remote working. 72% of employees went so far as to say they wouldn’t even consider working for a company if they didn’t offer flexible remote working.
The polls also showed that 71% of employees did not miss the full-time office environment at all. In fact, 76% said they would choose to work from home permanently if offered.
However, working from home came at a cost to employees, with 36% of employees reporting that their work became more difficult when they worked remotely or from home.
The new flexibility in schedules made 45% of employees feel happier, while 44% of employees also enjoyed the flexibility to take breaks at any time.
However, 51% of employees who took part in the survey noted that they would have liked to see their contributions in the workplace more recognized when working from home.
Dave Landa, CEO of Kintone, noted how people are “embracing remote work more than ever,” explaining how workplace standards have shifted and employees expect a “more robust work-life balance.”
Unfortunately, there have been some issues with remote working, with 35% of employees not having the right office equipment and 36% having trouble communicating with colleagues. In fact, 34% of employees admitted that they were more easily distracted when working remotely.
Remote working also resulted in 48% of surveys saying they would like an upgrade to their internet service, 40% would like a new computer and 38% would like a new desk or workspace. It is also more difficult for companies to meet the needs of their employees, as 22% of employees were dissatisfied with the way their company handled the move online.
To address some performance issues, 46% of the survey participants suggested making changes to company policies, such as changes in working hours or expectations. 43% also suggested that the company should reimburse their employees for their Internet service charges or other utility bills. 41% state that companies should also provide their employees with a new computer or laptop.
To create a smoother remote work experience, 52% of survey participants emphasized the importance of good communication between the company and employees. 57% admitted that communication in the office had been easier and more productive, and 36% said working remotely had strained communication between themselves and their career leader.
landa said:
Any major transformation like this comes with hurdles and uncertainties. Ultimately, the benefits of happier, more satisfied employees will justify the effort to address these challenges.
Employers need to develop policies and solutions to address these concerns and strengthen communications so that remote and hybrid work experiences will only improve in the post-pandemic era.
While remote working may not be for everyone, the flexibility of being able to work from home on certain days or for certain lengths of time has made it easier for many to find work-life balance. Employees have been able to spend more time with family members, other loved ones or pets. So, even if the pandemic comes to an end, flexible working might be here to stay.
Source: unilad
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