Everyone has a nephew who’s been searching for a new job for seemingly forever and hasn’t had any success.
Now we know why.
With data from Linkedin, the Washington Post found demand for remote jobs is triple the supply. And, both numbers are decreasing!
During the pandemic and Great Resignation, scholars and economists thought remote work was here to stay.
No matter their industry, most companies say, “Not so fast.”
Here are 3 reasons they’re not so keen on the remote work model:
1. Feasibility of the work
Take a look around you. Retail, manufacturing, healthcare. Many of the jobs we take for granted aren’t feasible remotely.
At its peak, 21% of organizations offered remote work in March 2022. Now just 8 months later, that figure has decreased almost 30% after companies learned they’re more productive in the office.
Even progressive tech companies like Twitter and Snap have been calling employees back.
For example, whiteboarding and ideation sessions just aren’t the same virtually. In-person meetings are crucial for teamwork, collaboration and strong interpersonal relationships – the foundations of team productivity.
2. Emotional & mental health concerns
Did you feel isolated and disconnected from the rest of your team during the pandemic?
You weren’t alone.
There is no substitute for face-to-face interaction. Sure, Zoom, Slack and other platforms have allowed us to remain connected even when apart.
But despite Zuckerberg’s best attempts at creating a metaverse, technology has a way to go to make virtual interactions feel “real.”
Networking opportunities and important company decisions just feel different on a screen. Employers understand that. So they want to design the best in-person employee experience possible.
3. Work-life imbalance
How does a remote arrangement impact work-life balance?
During the pandemic, we saw employees actually increase their work habits at home – even without supervision.
When employees are able to work from anywhere, they feel pressure to be available at all times. Instead of having clearly-drawn lines between work in the office and personal life when they’re at home.
We’ve seen burnout skyrocket because of this always-on attitude.
Organizations feel more responsible for taking care of their employees’ personally and professionally. Studies show when employees have a healthy work-life balance, they’re better employees.
Remote work has its benefits. But it’s not a viable option for every company, role and employee.
The future will likely involve a mix of remote, hybrid and in-person work where companies find the right balance for them, their culture and their growth needs.
Need help refining your talent acquisition strategy for this new future? Field of Talent has supported American Senior Communities, USA Gymnastics and others in their recruitment search.
Contact us here.
