Is remote work right for you?

Thinking of switching up your work routine but not sure about making the leap? Here are some factors you can think about to help you decide.

The very idea of working has changed dramatically, and permanently, since the pandemic.

Before, most people considered it pretty much given that they would commute to a physical office, stay there from 9 to 5 and then commute back home at the end of the day.

Now, things are different. The dire circumstances brought on by the pandemic have made people rethink what it means to work, and what they want that to look like.

That effect is still going on, perhaps even more deliberately so in the face of RTO mandates where companies are trying to force remote workers to return to a fully in-person set up.

If you’re one of the thousands of UK residents thinking about how you work, and wondering about whether you should change things up, this article can help you decide.

 

How common are fully remote jobs?

The amount of people working remotely full-time has dropped significantly since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 to no longer be a global health emergency.

But it’s still much higher than it was before the pandemic began.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 16% of British workers are working strictly remotely — whether that means from home, from their favourite coffee shop or from a sunny Caribbean country.

This percentage of workers makes up the lowest in the UK.

However, a good share of workers are hybrid, spending a few days in-office each week and the remaining days at home.

ONS data shows 28% of workers are hybrid, while 56% are fully in-person.

 

Who benefits the most from remote work?

Despite the data, the benefits of remote work for employers and employees have long been touted.

The two demographic groups that consistently say they benefit the most from remote work include:

1. Marginalised groups

Remote work is most popular amongst marginalised groups, more than any other.

Visible minorities like workers of colour and people with disabilities consistently say that remote work helps to remove them from some toxic work behaviours, and helps their colleagues take them more seriously.

2. Caretakers

Parents and workers who have caretaking responsibilities at home also rave about remote work.

It allows them the work-life balance to take time for domestic duties without significantly impacting their work day or causing added stress.

But note that this list is not exclusive. Thousands of people who may not fit into either of these categories still adore remote work and the flexibility it allows them, whether that’s taking a jog during the day or having extra free time by cutting out a long commute.

If you have a dedicated space at home where you can work effectively in peace, you might want to consider making the switch to remote work.

You have nothing to lose by taking a leap of faith to try for a better work environment, and resources like RemoteWorker.co.uk make it easier than ever to find a remote job that’s right up your alley.

Find the latest remote jobs in the UK via RemoteWorker.co.uk.