Remote jobs surge, majority of recruiters struggle
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — A new study by Flexa reveals a major imbalance in the remote job market, with over 300 applicants competing for every remote opening while 75% of employers struggle to fill vacancies.
The analysis of 360,000 job searches found a 41% surge in candidates looking for remote-first roles since the pandemic onset. However, remote job postings decreased 22% between July and September 2023.
“Employees expect more autonomy now that working remotely has become normalized. However, not all employers have fully grasped the new skills needed to oversee hybrid or remote teams effectively,” Jess Lancashire, CEO of flexible working consultancy From Another, told HR magazine.
“This can lead them to try enforcing old policies around set hours and office presence.”
The data shows a shift in flexible work preferences too. Listings for roles with 1-2 remote days per week doubled to 21%, but only 6% of applicants want such arrangements.
“Many employers undersell their offering by thinking that they can only lay claim to location-based flexibility if their staff work from home year-round,” noted Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO of Flexa.
Claire Campbell, co-director at Timewise, urged transparency from employers and candidates on flexibility needs. “At the moment, employers and candidates are both understandably confused. Employers are often offering remote working to their current employees but fall shy of including this in a job advert, in case they change their hybrid approach in the future.”
In summary, the Flexa report highlights a disconnect between employee demand for remote roles and employer offerings. Experts emphasize improved communication and transparency around flexible working to attract talent.
