Remote work in the U.S. settles in post-pandemic balance
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — The percentage of employees working remotely in the United States has decreased, but experts say it is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 35% of U.S. employees did some or all of their work from home in 2023, down from 42% in 2020.
Despite the decline, this number remains higher than the 24% recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Balancing act between onsite and remote work
Experts predict that remote work will stabilize between pre-pandemic and pandemic levels.
“It was very high onsite before Covid. During the lockdown, it was very high [in] remote, and then I think that it will balance out,” Robin Erickson, VP of human capital at The Conference Board, told HR Brew.
“I think that hybrid is what is here to stay.”
Nick Bunker, Director of North American Economic Research at Indeed, echoed Erickson’s sentiments.
He noted that while remote work won’t disappear entirely, companies will continue to navigate the challenges of offering flexibility to employees.
“That’s still in the negotiation stage…how remote work and flexibility can coexist, or just how flexibility and work schedules can exist for a variety of different jobs,” Bunker said.
Industry-specific adaptations
Erickson added that flexibility and remote work will likely look different across industries and roles.
“[People] talk about, ‘Well, you know, in the manufacturing industry, you can’t be remote.’ Well, that’s not exactly true, because you have a large percentage of your organization, your administrators, your managers, a lot of people who can be remote,” she explained.
Erickson also highlighted the potential for “compressed workweeks” as a solution for roles that require in-person attendance.
Industries like healthcare and airlines have long offered three- and four-day workweeks, providing a model for other sectors to consider.
Meanwhile, WFH Research shows that work-from-home levels in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest point since the spring of 2020, but remote work still dominates several industries.
The information/technology and finance/insurance sectors had the highest share of remote workers at 69% and 66%, respectively, averaging 2.2 work-from-home days per week.
However, industries such as retail and hospitality continue to report minimal remote work, with 0.6 to 0.7 remote days per week, necessitating physical presence for effective operation.
Despite high-profile return-to-office mandates from companies like Zoom and Meta, Erickson considers these “anomalies” rather than indicative of broader trends.
She emphasizes the importance of employee choice in retention strategies, warning that ignoring employee preferences could lead to a “Great Resignation 2.0” once economic and political uncertainties subside.
HR leaders expect more remote work in 2024
Nearly twice as many businesses expect an increase in remote or hybrid working arrangements by the end of 2024 compared to those anticipating a reduction.
According to a global survey by HireRight, this shift is driven by several factors, including:
- Improved well-being and work-life balance (58% in North America, 63% in EMEA, 67% in APAC)
- Access to a larger talent pool (47% in North America, 38% in EMEA, 43% in APAC)
- Enhanced employee retention (38% in North America, 41% in EMEA, 50% in APAC)
