In 2022, the distributed workforce will be recognized as the model for success and productivity. Remote work has emerged as a core component for companies to grow, improve communications, and remain competitive. As technology continues to advance in its evolution, the opportunities for remote work are only becoming more accessible.
This is because of how connected today’s workers are through technological resources such as videoconferencing software, broadband connections, the Web, social media platforms, and an array of information-sharing technologies that allow people to work from anywhere.
Top Remote Work Trends in 2022
1. Remote Work Becoming Widely Accepted
Remote work has become accepted by companies as a viable alternative to working in an office or remote location. This is especially true for larger, more progressive corporations. With the heightened frequency and sophistication of technological resources and new communication technologies, workers have changed their expectations of how they will work and communicate with colleagues, clients, and employers.
Over the past ten years, remote work has become increasingly common across industries as a highly-efficient means for workers to perform their responsibilities. Companies are continually evolving to accommodate these new expectations, including enhanced collaboration and communication tools and flexible hours for individuals who want to work from home and shift to permanent remote work model.
The shift towards remote work is not only increasing the number of people working from home but also creating a more efficient workforce that can be location neutral.
2. The Debate of Hybrid Work vs. Remote Work Model
Traditionally, the remote and hybrid work models have been viewed as separate. While both types of work are designed to be a part of an organization’s workforce, they differ in their design and how they can be implemented.
The hybrid model is one solution that is used to accommodate the needs of workers who want to remain connected with colleagues and clients while working from their own homes. It also provides a more structured framework for people who want to work remotely but want some support in ongoing communication with their employer.
Under this model, employees are expected to commute and work from an existing office or a similar location. The hybrid model is ideal for workers who want a balance between working at home and in an office. Remote workers can use virtual interviews, remote collaboration tools, and high internet speeds to improve their work from home experience.
3. Remote Workforce Well-Being Becomes Top Priority
The remote workforce’s well-being has become a vital component of companies that want to retain their most valuable workers and attract new talent. Mental health and well-being of remote workers have become one of the top challenges of remote working for companies as they continue to evolve into innovative workplaces.
Organizations have created an array of employee assistance programs and flexible work arrangements to support the well-being of their workers who might be outside of the office. Maintaining good mental health while working from home is of most importance for remote workers.
This lowers attrition rates, increases employee satisfaction and productivity, reduces turnover, and ultimately increases employee retention. In the long term, remote workers are more engaged and productive to increase company performance. This is due to their accessibility, flexibility, and effective workflows, giving them greater control over their work responsibilities and helping them stay motivated while working remotely.
4. Increased Focus on Dedicated Work From Home Office Setups
Continual technological advancements have changed how organizations approach remote work and how workers function in various environments. As the business world continues to evolve, remote workers are shifting towards more efficient ways of performing their duties with flexible schedules, daily routines and remote collaborations.
As a result, companies have increased their focus on dedicated office setups equipped with wireless internet access, videoconferencing capabilities, and ergonomic technology. These features provide employees with a more professional work environment that improves their performance and productivity.
In addition, more organizations have set up dedicated workstations for home-based employees. This provides them additional benefits such as improved collaboration and communication tools, flexible hours for working from home, and an array of mail services beyond traditional mailboxes. A home office setup allows workers to use their personal computers to access files, complete work, and discuss their responsibilities.
5. Rising Importance of Digital and CyberSecurity
There is a growing need to secure digital data, especially as the value of intellectual property continues to increase. Organizations are increasingly investing in informational technologies that provide digital forensics and data analysis services and support cybersecurity. This includes tools such as virtualized storage arrays, specialized security software, and secure email service providers that offer cloud backup options.
As these technologies continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, companies must develop security policies for remote workers on an ongoing basis. This includes training and education programs for employees with access to sensitive data and technologies. These strategies provide workers with the resources and guidance necessary to protect their digital assets.
6. Online Virtual Interviews Become More Accepted
Virtual interviews have become an essential part of the recruitment process for organizations. This is due to the changing expectations of candidates who want to learn more about a company before accepting an offer.
Organizations that want to attract top talent must provide tools such as video interviewing capabilities, interactive chat rooms, and similar technologies during their recruitment process. This gives workers a more significant opportunity to connect with employers and better understand their job responsibilities.
In 2022, the percentage of organizations that use virtual interviews has increased considerably. Using such advanced technologies has increased applicant turnouts, higher candidate quality, and improved employer brand. For example, many organizations have introduced virtual interviews as a part of their hiring process to select candidates for employment.
This online interview format allows employers to learn more about a candidate’s personality and ability to work within an organization before extending an offer. Early research has shown that using this interactive approach will likely increase candidate turnout and improve the overall quality of candidates for a position at the company.
7. New Solutions For Collaboration, Team Building, And Networking On Rising
With the growing importance of teamwork and collaboration, companies have revised their strategies for providing their employees with new tools for effective communication and collaboration.
Managers are shifting towards more efficient tools and services to facilitate workforce development and improve employee productivity. The increasing shift towards virtual team building has resulted in a wide array of digital and Internet-based tools that allow employees to build teams worldwide. These tools bring together a larger group of people with similar goals and needs.
Online social networking technologies such as video networking, virtual team rooms, and other collaborative resources have increased considerably. These technologies have made it easier for workers to connect outside the office. This results in better communication and problem-solving strategies that improve company performance, along with virtual team building activites.
8. Remote work & Travel Go Hand In Hand
Working remotely has become more acceptable in many parts of the world. Employees seek greater freedom and flexibility in the workplace, which is difficult to find in traditional office environments. Furthermore, many organizations are shifting towards a remote working model since it provides them with increased productivity and efficiency.
As a result, remote workers want to use their time away from the office to connect with their travel buddies. Business travel becomes more enjoyable when employees have the opportunity to meet up with friends and family while traveling. The growing popularity of remote work has made it possible for vacation planners to use websites to organize their clients’ trips.
Digital nomads can take advantage of flexible scheduling and diverse entertainment options. Remote work has become a more viable option for working professionals who want to maintain their home life while on the road, as many countries are now offering digital nomad visas to remote workers.
9. Remote Manager’s Responsibilities Will Evolve
As organizations are shifting towards hiring more remote employees, they must hire managers equipped to assist employees in various locations. Managers have a new set of responsibilities that go beyond traditional leadership roles. They must focus on coaching and supporting their remote workers while they perform various activities.
Managers must provide their team members insight into their roles, responsibilities, and duties. Otherwise, the team will struggle to complete their daily tasks, and employers risk losing top talent due to disengagement at work. Virtual office technologies have made it possible to provide better solutions for these challenges while motivating and supporting remote workers.
Online video conferencing, electronic meeting rooms, and other technologies have reduced the time it takes to communicate with remote workers and provide quality feedback.
10. Hiring Freelancers and Part-time Workers Become Mainstream
With the growth of the gig economy and other remote working models, many organizations have turned to freelance and part-time employees to fill in gaps in their workforce.
Most of these part-time employees serve as remote workers who perform specific tasks for a company or organization. While freelancers typically work on short-term projects, often for multiple companies, independent contractors can work for one organization long-term. These remote workers are valuable sources of talent for organizations because they bring diversity to the workplace.
Over the past three years, the number of remote workers has increased by 15% and is expected to grow at an accelerated rate. Remote work is currently most prevalent among technology, finance, healthcare, and hospitality workers. If employers can provide remote workers with flexible hours and reliable quality of work, they will be able to attract top talent to their organization.
Conclusion
The future of work will evolve due to the rapid growth of virtual technologies. A new collaboration, training, networking, and communication solutions will create new opportunities for organizations to attract top talent.
These trends will impact companies from different industries and result in high demand for remote workers. The future of work will depend entirely on organizations that invest in the right technology and strategies to communicate with remote workers and employees.
There are many ways to find digital nomad jobs. One of them is through remote job boards like DailyRemote. They provide a large number of remote jobs for people looking for flexible work opportunities. Another way is by joining remote work communities you can meet other nomads and find out where they are currently working.
If you are searching for a remote job, study these common questions remote workers usually ask. And while you’re at it, join like-minded remote workers in our LinkedIn community.
