When the pandemic first began in 2020, nobody could have predicted the extent to which it would change the way we work forever. According to job search website Ladders, “remote opportunities leapt from under 4% of all high paying jobs before the pandemic to about 9% at the end of 2020, and to more than 15% [at the end of 2021].”
And this number is already on the rise for 2022. Data scientists from Ladders expect one fourth of all high paying jobs will be available remotely by the end of 2022.
A study released by Express Employment Professionals and the Harris Poll in August of 2021 found that 63% of U.S. companies planned to allow existing employees to work remotely once the pandemic subsided, and 60% agreed a rise in this trend is making it more competitive to attract and retain employees.
To stay competitive and attract top talent, more and more employers are adopting a remote, or at least hybrid remote and in-office work schedule.
Buffer, a website specializing in helping customers grow their businesses on social media, surveyed 118 people working remotely from around the world. Just over half were employees, while 42% were independent consultants or freelancers. A whopping 97% said they would recommend remote work to others, and 90% said they would describe their experience with remote work as very positive or somewhat positive.
So, how can you be productive working remotely in this new normal?
- Stick to Your Routine
Just because you’re remote doesn’t mean you stop maintaining your schedule. Try to wake up at the same time every day, eat breakfast, catch up on the news; whatever you would normally do when working in-office.
- Have a Place to Work
You might not have a cubicle at home, but you still need a consistent workstation. A desk with a comfortable chair is a good start.
- Embrace Communication
When you’re working from home, it can be easy to feel isolated. Keep in contact with your co-workers via online meetings and email to make sure everyone is on the same page and avoid misunderstandings.
Remote work is here to stay, and both employers and workers must be willing to change how they work. But there are plenty of benefits to remote or hybrid work schedules, and the employment landscape will continue to change in the coming years.
