Get Ahead with These 3 Remote Work Predictions for 2021

Over the past several months, we’ve transformed the ways and places in which work is accomplished. According to a recent Gallup poll:

• The average number of telecommuting days per month has more than doubled over the past year, from 2.4 to 5.8.
• 26% of U.S. workers are working entirely from home.

And as we prepare to flip the calendar once again, remote work will continue to be an indispensable part of our workforce ecosystem. But what will remote work look like in 2021 – and how can your business capitalize on changes ahead? Let’s examine a few remote work predictions:

The number of permanent remote workers will continue to rise.

Research published by the World Economic Forum predicts the number of employees permanently working remotely globally will double in 2021; the percentage of permanent remote workers is expected to rise from 16.4% to 34.4%. If you haven’t already, it’s time to fully embrace a permanent shift to at least a partially remote workforce.

Even when the pandemic is no longer a factor, employees will likely want to continue working from home at least part of the time. Many people enjoy the lower commuting costs, time savings, and flexibility telecommuting affords. As a result, offering remote work options can improve your access to talent, employee job satisfaction, and tenure.

Remote work fatigue will continue.

Endless zoom meetings, increased reliance on technology, and lack of face-to-face interaction will continue to take a toll on employees’ physical and mental health. As an employer, you should acknowledge the unique forms of stress remote work causes and take steps to ensure the physical separation and isolation doesn’t undermine your team’s performance. Make sure you help employees build effective routines, keep them connected to your organization’s big picture, and encourage them to find ways to refresh their focus and motivation each day.

Remote management tools and practices will improve.

Most employers were abruptly forced to adapt their management practices to accommodate new remote work arrangements. In 2021, employers will move from a reactive phase into a proactive one, evolving their processes, tools, and technology to lead effectively in a blended or fully remote workplace.

Earlier this year, we created two resources to accelerate this transition in your organization:

• In this post, “Managing Remote Workers,” we share practical strategies for bringing out the best in your employees when they aren’t working under the same roof as you.
• This post, “4 Tools You Can Provide Remote Employees,” reviews tech tools to help support your team’s engagement, collaboration, and efficiency.
  

PrideStaff is here to help.

2021 will bring a fresh set of changes, challenges, and opportunities – and our national staffing firm will build creative staffing solutions to help you adapt and thrive. Contact your local PrideStaff office today to start a conversation. We’ll keep you staffed, flexible, and prepared for what’s next.