It might be hard to believe but we will be wrapping up 2019 in just a few short weeks and beginning a new decade. There isn’t a better time than now to check the predictions for what’s to come for jobseekers and careers in 2020.
Remote Work on the Rise in 2020
According to FlexJobs, remote work will continue to be trend on the rise next year. Telecommuting has evolved from being viewed as a perk to being viewed as a way of life. “Two-thirds of all companies currently have remote workers, and 4.7 million people work from home, which is a 159% increase since 2005.” This is an astounding statistic as the world of work continues to evolve from the traditional space to one that accommodates employees and seek to define meaningful work.
As Millennials continue to compose the largest generation in the workforce, they are also pushing for uses of the latest technology, their purpose and contribution to society, and flexible work arrangements to continues to set new standards and change perceptions.
The current workforce is the most historically contrasted, age-wise. Our current workforce is composed of traditionalists, baby boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. The largest generation in the workforce are Millennials and experts expect them to exert the greatest amount of influence, including the push for remote work. Millennials have also advocated for the best technology, which has forced employers to stay up-to-date. In addition, this generation has been known for their desire for meaningful work, strong desire for purpose, and making consistent contributions to society.
The prediction for 2020 and beyond is that the affinity Millennials have for flexible work arrangements will continually establish a new perception of what the standard workday is. Jobseekers can expect to see plenty of remote options available among their searching.
How Has Remote Work Changed Our Lives?
Remote work has changed the way we do business and the way we work. Almost all of my clients now are stating that they are seeking remote work capabilities in their next role. Remote work has long been favored amongst candidates because of the work-life balance that they long for. However, remote workers cite work-life balance as the reason that they seek it. It provides the flexibility and autonomy to structure their day so they can be at peak productivity, complete tasks efficiently, and have time for activities outside of work. It takes away a long commute, which can save time and money spent on public transportation, gas, and even car repairs. It allows someone to start work earlier whereas in traditional work arrangements, they would likely still be commuting.
Recruiting and Hiring a Remote Workforce
In doing so, no longer does your talent have to be local. It can be located within the same state hours away, across the country, or in another nation. You have the ability to control how to hire a diverse workforce- something that is now highly valued in most companies. If remote work continues to expand, then it will continually benefit how we hire a diverse workforce and what diversity looks like and is how it is valued by each organization. It provides jobseekers with more options instead of having to search within only a specific number of miles from their home.
It also improves morale, which in turn decreases turnover and absenteeism, and increases devotion to the work. Studies have shown that remote workers have higher job satisfaction rates and higher morale. Even having the ability to work from home once a month, has been known to make a significant difference.
Remote Work Challenges
As someone who works remotely, one of the biggest mistakes is not setting boundaries. This includes trying to set a schedule and sticking to it. It also includes taking breaks for personal errands or activities. For example, don’t eat lunch at your desk- take a real lunch hour or go out for coffee, schedule an appointment mid-day if it means that you will get some fresh air. It also is beneficial to your productivity to have a dedicated office space.
Whatever challenge you might face, be sure to find ways to address them early on to continually improve your productivity. We have entered a new era of work that is showing us signs of not slowing down and we need to be prepared for its rapid expansion and influence of how we work and think of work and our careers.