3 out of 4 job seekers want remote work options, many companies falling behind: report
While the vast majority of job seekers are attracted to the idea of working from home if given the opportunity, a new report suggests many companies are falling short of adapting to remote work.
"There are a lot of misconceptions and a lot of negative views around remote work, especially from employers," said Kal Fakhreddin, research associate for Workforce WindsorEssex and author of the report.
According to the report, employers shy away from accommodating remote work due to concerns over reduced productivity, collaboration efforts being difficult, hardware costs and a lack of employee supervision — but survey data shows companies that fail to, do struggle to keep workers and find new ones.
The survey shows 84 per cent of employees who work remotely wish to continue doing so in the future. Approximately three in every four people would lean toward applying for jobs which offer remote work options.
"While many employers are unsure of the benefits of remote work, or feel unprepared to offer them long-term, there is a misalignment that could lead to reduced retention and potentially affect future employment," the report reads.
Kal Fakhreddin, research associate for Workforce WindsorEssex and author of a report on remote work, says many companies have 'negative views' around allowing their employees to work from home. Pictured in Windsor, Ont., on WEdnesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)
Windsor resident Adam Reaume recently started a work-from-home job and said he prefers working remotely because he does not own a personal vehicle and is recovering from an injury.
"You have your privacy. You have your space that you're used to working." said Reaume. "If I don't work from home, I may have to make a 45-minute bus commute and pay for a monthly bus pass which cuts into my income. It's an easy choice."
Reaume's employer is not based in Windsor — and the report says it is becoming more common for local talent to remotely work for companies elsewhere.
One challenge observed by Fakhreddin is that many organizations find it difficult to compete with bigger cities offering remote work. For example, a company in Toronto can afford to offer Windsor-based employees a much higher salary.
"The positive aspect is that workers are exposed to better wages and potentially better benefits when they can easily outsource their skills through
remote work. Regardless, the idea is to make remote work effective for employees and employees in Windsor," the report added.
Fakhreddin tells CTV News there are companies that have embraced remote work — and the ones that have are seeing clear benefits.
For companies that do adapt to remote work, Fakhreddin said, the benefits are clear: reduced overhead costs and easier recruitment.
"I was surprised by the amount of employers that have found that remote work really works for them," she said, adding one-third of local businesses maintain some type of remote work model.
To address concerns over reduced productivity, Fakhreddin suggests businesses implement measures to adapt to remote work, such as only requiring employees to enter the office once or twice a week or holding team-building exercises in person.
"So it's not the fact that they have to offer a fully remote workplace but to find a model that works best for them," she said.
"I find that employees will be a lot more satisfied with that flexibility, employers will have happier employees and they will retain employees better which is a big issue in Windsor."
As for Reaume, who just started his work-from-home job a week ago, he said his employer has demonstrated a good understanding of how to accommodate to remote work.
"There might be the possibility for distractions, but in a place like where I work, that would clearly show up in some sort of metrics," said Reaume.
"Some people obviously might not be well tuned to working at home ... but for me, I feel like I'm able to buckle down."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.