A look at how U.S. employees feel about remote and hybrid work, how their behaviors have evolved since the pandemic, and how employers are adjusting to new hybrid expectations.
Download the report
Introduction
2021 was the year the world stayed remote.
As the pandemic continued to evolve throughout the year, so did the way we work. Employee expectations permanently shifted, with many choosing to resign for a better work life balance or more flexibility in where and when they work. And with nearly 70% of full-time U.S. workers having worked remotely - with many still doing so - employers started adjusting their workplaces to fit a new hybrid working model.
For the 5th Annual State of Remote Work report, Owl Labs again partnered with leading remote work analytics firm, Global Workplace Analytics, to learn more about the current state of remote and hybrid work and what lies ahead.
We learned that productivity didn’t suffer, with 90% of employees that worked from home during the pandemic saying they were as productive -- or more -- working remotely when compared to the office. 84% of employees also shared that working remotely after the pandemic would make them happier, with many even willing to take a pay cut. Employers, listen up, if you haven’t adjusted and created new workplace policies yet, read on to understand why you should. Keep scrolling to access the full report.
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90%
of employees say they were as productive or more working remotely when compared to the office
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84%
of employees shared that working remotely after the pandemic would make them happier, with some even willing to take a pay cut
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Employee Expectations
Employee expectations and behaviors during the pandemic have permanently shifted, with many returning to the office, and to mixed reviews.
Of those that worked from home during the pandemic, have returned to the office at least one day a week, with returning within the last month.
Of those that have returned to the office,
Productivity + WFH Benefits
Highly productive and possibly over-worked? Employers may be getting more out of their remote workers, and in return they are creating policies to better support them.
78%
57%
say that they feel more included when at the office
say that they prefer working from home full-time
1 in 4 changed jobs or are actively seeking a new opportunity for many reasons.
Why employees changed jobs:
4 / 4
3 / 4
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55% say they work more hours working remotely than at the physical office
1 / 4
say they are at the same productivity level — or higher — working from home compared to the office
90%
3 / 3
2 / 3
1 / 3
would quit their job if they could no longer work remotely after the pandemic, with an additional 18% still undecided
Hybrid Expectations
After the pandemic, employees have made their new work expectations loud and clear. Employers, listen up.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
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needed to provide care for children or a dependent during the pandemic
63%
Of those that worked from home during the pandemic
78%
57%
say that they feel more included when at the office
say that they prefer working from home full-time
There are clear benefits to working from home:
25
50
75
100
25
50
75
100
27% that worked from home during the pandemic said they relocated during the pandemic. Of those that moved:
Of those that worked from home during the pandemic,
Rethinking the Office
The time is now to rethink your physical office space. If it isn’t wired for hybrid collaboration, it’s a wasted space.
3 / 3
of people believe the office is best suited for individual work
36%
2 / 3
Since the start of the pandemic, companies have:
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
+
+
+
+
+
1 / 3
said that their employer has upgraded their video technology to allow for more hybrid collaboration
38%
0%
40%
60%
80%
100%
+
+
+
+
+
+
20%
90% said for a better career opportunity
88% said for better work life balance
88% said for better compensation
87% said to lower their stress
84% said to get more flexibility in where they work
82% said to get more flexibility in when they work
5% relocated for pandemic and are still relocated
15% relocated during pandemic, but have moved back
6% moved permanently
+
25
50
75
100
64% now prefer hybrid meetings
70% of employees say virtual meetings are less stressful
12% fewer hours
33% same hours
18% 0-5 hours more
12% 6-10 hours more
10% 10-20 hours more
16% 20+ hours more
82% said after the pandemic working from home is better for their mental health
46% said they would be willing to take a 5% pay cut to work remotely at least part of the time
84% said working from home would make them happier
1 IN 3
want a hybrid or remote working style, after the pandemic is over
71%
39% of employers are requiring employees to be in the office full-time post-pandemic, but only 29% want to be:
24% expanded meeting room and collaboration spaces
22% closed the office
22% reduced office space
21% increased their office space
18% implemented hot desking
73%
25%
78%
57%
say that they feel more included when at the office
say that they prefer working from home full-time
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+
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+
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Preferred working arrangement
Employer is requiring me to do
+
+
+
+
+
+
34%
26%
29%
39%
27%
20%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Work remotely full-time
In the office full-time
In the office
1-4 days a week
2021 was the year the world stayed remote.
As the pandemic continued to evolve throughout the year, so did the way we work. Employee expectations permanently shifted, with many choosing to resign for a better work life balance or more flexibility in where and when they work. And with nearly 70% of full-time U.S. workers having worked remotely - with many still doing so - employers started adjusting their workplaces to fit a new hybrid working model.
For the 5th Annual State of Remote Work report, Owl Labs again partnered with leading remote work analytics firm, Global Workplace Analytics, to learn more about the current state of remote and hybrid work and what lies ahead.
We learned that productivity didn’t suffer, with 90% of employees that worked from home during the pandemic saying they were as productive -- or more -- working remotely when compared to the office. 84% of employees also shared that working remotely after the pandemic would make them happier, with many even willing to take a pay cut. Employers, listen up, if you haven’t adjusted and created new workplace policies yet, read on to understand why you should. Keep scrolling to access the full report.
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said the top usage of the future physical office should be for team collaboration and team meetings
said the top usage of the future physical office should be for team collaboration and team meetings
A look at how U.S. employees feel about remote and hybrid work, how their behaviors have evolved since the pandemic, and how employers are adjusting to new hybrid expectations.
Download the report
A look at how U.S. employees feel about remote and hybrid work, how their behaviors have evolved since the pandemic, and how employers are adjusting to new hybrid expectations.
Download the report