10 world trends in remote work
9 February 2022
The world during the pandemic was called the VUCA world (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity). And this protracted period has made adjustments to the usual labour relations, which have already had a positive effect on employment. And companies like SOLARGROUP, which had been operating remotely even before the pandemic, were one step ahead in making positive changes.
Here is what we got with the mass transition to a remote work format:
1. Hyperlocality. Online job interviews have become commonplace. People from different regions have equal chances to land a job where they want, without geographic or territorial restrictions. This factor has significantly increased the volume of recruiting, as the recruitment process has become easier and faster. The search for candidates is more often conducted through social media. And different companies have even begun to share statistics on which of the regions is leading in their recruitment.
2. Electronic document management. The popularity of electronic signatures is increasing, which allows you to transfer up to 90% of the document flow into a remote format. Except for those documents that are not yet legally permitted to sign online. But there are dynamics here too: experts are waiting for a bill regulating this issue, and then it will be possible to sign absolutely any document remotely.
3. Online meetings. With this format, the time for work meetings is planned more productively and the topics for discussion are chosen more carefully. Meetings are held more regularly, the efficiency of work is increasing, and there are more specific proposals at such meetings.
4. Positive impact on the environment. Less paper and printer ink, as well as gas for commuting and electricity are used. In general, reducing the cost of maintaining an office leads to a reduction in specific waste when using office equipment. Carbon emissions into the atmosphere are reduced. Overall air quality is improved because working from home doesn't require commuting.
5. Job rotation. Employees are more likely to be transferred from one position to another within the company. Employers have become more interested in employees improving their skills. This trend is consistent with the desire of most remote workers to change their area of work and learn new things.
6. Symmetry in employer/employee relations. If earlier the employer chose the employee, now the employee chooses the employer. HR professionals note the symmetry and balance that have emerged in these relations in recent times. The number of remote work offers has increased and the role of the HR field has increased. This area is virtually becoming the face of companies and brands, whereas in the past it most often served as a filter in the selection of candidates for vacancies. The opinions and feedback of companies' employees about the employer are now very common and widely available, especially on social media. And recruiters have to try hard to entice and engage qualified professionals.
7. Multi-project approach. More opportunities to work for several employers simultaneously and have additional income.
8. Gender balance. It is easier to find work for women with children. Parental leave is no longer a barrier, and parenthood no longer means less involvement in work processes.
9. Freelance efficiency. Now you can do not only part-time jobs remotely, the main activity is also often performed online. At the start of the pandemic, there was an imbalance in the freelance market: there were more job seekers than offers. And now the opposite is true, which is great news for anyone who wants to find or change jobs right now, but is ready to start only with a part-time job.
10. New formats. Many companies are introducing a four-day work week. The workation format has become popular - combining a vacation with a business trip. And job offers are also increasingly using a remote-first model, in which candidates are asked to choose whether they want to work remotely or in the office, but the online format is specified as preferable for all employees. And most importantly: almost all employers rely on the automation of routine processes.
So whoever you are and wherever you live, you have a choice of what to do. The world is full of opportunities!
Here is what we got with the mass transition to a remote work format:
1. Hyperlocality. Online job interviews have become commonplace. People from different regions have equal chances to land a job where they want, without geographic or territorial restrictions. This factor has significantly increased the volume of recruiting, as the recruitment process has become easier and faster. The search for candidates is more often conducted through social media. And different companies have even begun to share statistics on which of the regions is leading in their recruitment.
2. Electronic document management. The popularity of electronic signatures is increasing, which allows you to transfer up to 90% of the document flow into a remote format. Except for those documents that are not yet legally permitted to sign online. But there are dynamics here too: experts are waiting for a bill regulating this issue, and then it will be possible to sign absolutely any document remotely.
3. Online meetings. With this format, the time for work meetings is planned more productively and the topics for discussion are chosen more carefully. Meetings are held more regularly, the efficiency of work is increasing, and there are more specific proposals at such meetings.
4. Positive impact on the environment. Less paper and printer ink, as well as gas for commuting and electricity are used. In general, reducing the cost of maintaining an office leads to a reduction in specific waste when using office equipment. Carbon emissions into the atmosphere are reduced. Overall air quality is improved because working from home doesn't require commuting.
5. Job rotation. Employees are more likely to be transferred from one position to another within the company. Employers have become more interested in employees improving their skills. This trend is consistent with the desire of most remote workers to change their area of work and learn new things.
6. Symmetry in employer/employee relations. If earlier the employer chose the employee, now the employee chooses the employer. HR professionals note the symmetry and balance that have emerged in these relations in recent times. The number of remote work offers has increased and the role of the HR field has increased. This area is virtually becoming the face of companies and brands, whereas in the past it most often served as a filter in the selection of candidates for vacancies. The opinions and feedback of companies' employees about the employer are now very common and widely available, especially on social media. And recruiters have to try hard to entice and engage qualified professionals.
7. Multi-project approach. More opportunities to work for several employers simultaneously and have additional income.
8. Gender balance. It is easier to find work for women with children. Parental leave is no longer a barrier, and parenthood no longer means less involvement in work processes.
9. Freelance efficiency. Now you can do not only part-time jobs remotely, the main activity is also often performed online. At the start of the pandemic, there was an imbalance in the freelance market: there were more job seekers than offers. And now the opposite is true, which is great news for anyone who wants to find or change jobs right now, but is ready to start only with a part-time job.
10. New formats. Many companies are introducing a four-day work week. The workation format has become popular - combining a vacation with a business trip. And job offers are also increasingly using a remote-first model, in which candidates are asked to choose whether they want to work remotely or in the office, but the online format is specified as preferable for all employees. And most importantly: almost all employers rely on the automation of routine processes.
So whoever you are and wherever you live, you have a choice of what to do. The world is full of opportunities!