Telework has become increasingly popular post-pandemic, particularly among executives, with 26% of employees now working remotely, primarily one or two days a week. A significant demographic shift has occurred, as the percentage of executives teleworking rose from 45% to 61%, while intermediate professions declined. Many workers desire more remote work flexibility, reporting better health and work-life balance. However, challenges like isolation and unequal domestic responsibilities persist, especially impacting women.
Telework Trends Post-Pandemic
Since the conclusion of the Covid-19 pandemic, telework has evolved into a sought-after arrangement, particularly among executives. This shift has enabled many employees to enhance their working conditions and overall well-being, as evidenced by two recent studies released on Tuesday.
Prior to the pandemic, remote work was a rarity, engaging less than 10% of the workforce, typically limited to just one day per week. Data gathered from numerous surveys, encompassing responses from tens of thousands of employees, underpins the analysis conducted by Dares, the research arm of the Ministry of Labor.
During the height of the pandemic in 2021, nearly one-third of employees embraced telework, often working three or more days a week. However, by 2023, this figure has decreased to 26%, with the majority of these remote workers opting for only one or two days of telecommuting.
Shifts in Workforce Dynamics
The demographic landscape of teleworkers has shifted significantly between 2021 and 2023. The proportion of executives working remotely surged from 45% to 61%, while the share of intermediate professions dropped from 36% to 26%. Among employees, the telework rate stands at 12%, with a mere 1% of workers participating in remote work.
Interestingly, around 2.2 million employees in roles that are conducive to telework currently do not work remotely but express a desire to do so. This inclination is particularly evident in professions where teleworking is already well integrated, such as in administrative, accounting, and financial sectors.
Overall, one-third (34%) of employees aspire to work remotely, with most preferring two to four days a week. Notably, only 8% wish to telework full-time. Louis-Alexandre Erb, one of the study’s authors, pointed out a significant shift in employee sentiment: while in 2021, many sought to reduce their teleworking days, the current trend indicates a desire for increased remote work flexibility.
Teleworkers enjoy greater autonomy and report a less intense workload compared to their on-site counterparts, according to a second study by Dares based on feedback from over 38,000 participants. The majority (98%) of telework occurs at home, with only 2% utilizing co-working spaces. Moreover, 45% of remote workers have a dedicated workspace at home.
Despite the benefits, challenges persist. Remote work can lead to fewer interruptions and reduced pressure, yet the lack of face-to-face interaction with colleagues and inadequate resources remain common concerns.
In terms of health, the landscape has transformed dramatically. Historically, teleworkers exhibited higher rates of poor health and risk factors for depression. However, by 2023, teleworkers generally report better health compared to those who do not engage in remote work, even if they believe their roles could accommodate it.
It’s worth noting that female teleworkers tend to experience greater presenteeism, often working through illness, while male teleworkers do not show significant differences in this regard.
Interestingly, employees report that working from home facilitates better work-life balance for couples, particularly benefiting men who utilize saved commuting time for leisure and childcare. In contrast, women often allocate this time to household responsibilities. Consequently, despite the advances in telework, domestic duties remain unevenly distributed, although there is potential for reduced inequalities, particularly among couples with young children.