More employers embrace remote working, reports Korn Ferry

Working virtually has become much more accepted by employers, according to a new global survey on virtual working, carried out by Korn Ferry. In fact, 80% respondents reported that their employer has become ‘more favourable’ to remote workers in the last two years.

So are bosses finally trusting their virtual workers to be productive when they are away from their office desks? According to Korn Ferry’s findings, the vast majority of respondents (88%) say they are more productive when they work virtually, with 84% admitting they actually work more when they don’t go into the office. Virtual/remote and flexible work arrangements also results in less stress and better employee wellbeing, according to a recent Deloitte study (as reported).

HERE TO STAY

“The virtual work phenomenon is here to stay, and it’s only going to involve more people over time,” said Jeanne MacDonald, President of Global RPO Solutions of global consulting firm Korn Ferry.

More than a third professionals (38%) say they work virtually full time, with a third (33%) saying they work remotely 1-2 days per week, according to the report’s findings. The majority (82%) say that they work from home when they work remotely. A further 79% say working virtually does not hinder their career advancement and 78% say their colleagues who go into the office every day do not resent them for working virtually.

SOME DRAWBACKS

There are, however, some drawbacks to working virtually, according to the survey. For 37% the biggest obstacle to remote working is loneliness, followed by technical or connectivity issues (32%).

To make a success of virtual working, “virtual workers need to show that they can be productive anywhere, engage with their boss and teams and enter the workplace strategically. The more they are seen, the more successful they will be when working virtually”, added MacDonald. “With solid access to the right tools and technology, along with regular interaction with colleagues – such as video conferencing or occasional in-person meetings – remote workers can and should feel productive and part of a team.”