What Does the Rise of Remote Jobs Mean for the Modern Workforce?

Future employees may be located in surprising locations.

Work from anywhere... it may be possible for more jobs than in the past. Photo: Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Working from home for fewer hours is the dream of just about anyone slaving away at their nine-to-five, right?

Thankfully, the trend toward remote work is turning that dream into a reality for a large chunk of the workforce.

The concept of remote work shouldn't be particularly foreign in the digital era. After all, given that savvy entrepreneurs can build a full-time business from blogging alone, it's no surprise why many workers are ditching the daily grind in pursuit of something more comfortable.

Meanwhile, the long-lasting effects of the recession nearly a decade ago have left many workers with a bad taste in their mouths regarding traditional employment.

What Do Workers Want, Anyway?

While some employers have trouble loosening the strings on their workers, the numbers don't lie in regard to the boom of remote work and why the upward trend of freelancers and contractors will continue:

• Approximately 50% of the United States workforce has a job capable of some degree of tele-working: meanwhile, up to 90% of workers want such a job
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-quarter of the workforce does at least some of their work remotely
• 82% of millennial workers note that they'd be more loyal to their employees if they were able to work from home versus an office environment

The question remains: although workers want freedom and flexibility, does the remote revolution result in the same sort of productivity as a traditional brick-and-mortar business? Are there any potential downsides?

Remote Work Requires Discipline

Sure, the upsides of remote work such as not having to pay for a physical office space company insurance policies (in the case of freelancers and contractors) may be appealing, but not every company is compatible with working from home.

Remote companies require an incredibly organized culture to be effective: meanwhile, web-based and tech-based businesses are prime for flexibility. Businesses that require lots of face-to-face meetings and physical products may struggle with such a schedule.

Meanwhile, it's crucial that remote workers understand that they aren't being paid to sit on Facebook: remote work is still work.

The success of a remote company is dependent on a group mentality where everyone does their part from top to bottom.

The Benefits of a Remote Workforce

While not every job can be performed from home, remote companies are reaping the benefits of a seemingly happier, healthier workforce.

Remote jobs often represent a win-win situation for everyone involved: higher-ups can keep costs down while workers have the freedom to work at their own pace, sometimes on multiple gigs at once.

Studies show that remote workers are more productive than their office-bound counterparts, leaving many CEO's scratching their heads to decide whether or not to take the plunge into an office-less space.

Even if full-time remote work isn't a possibility, it seems clear that companies will continue to explore the possibility of allowing employees at least some time at home to get their jobs done.

Remote work is much, much more than just a fad: if trends hold steady, we'll continue to see a rise in a flexible workforce that seems to have a positive impact on the economy.

Salem-News.com Special Features Dept.