Global HR & Talent Acquisition Leader ◼ Ranked #2 Female LinkedIn Creator Worldwide ◼ Top 1% Job Seeker Expert on Topmate ◼ Yoga Instructor ◼ Business Advisor
I have been fully remote for almost five years, and it's been an absolute life changer. I genuinely cannot understand why employers would try to force employees back in offices if they can work from home, other than filling seats in rented office spaces. No one wants to: 💹 Sit in traffic 💹 Dress up to go to work 💹 Spend money on commuting 💹 Miss out on precious moments with their families 💹 Not have enough time to pursue your passions and what's make your heart and soul happy. The landscape of work is evolving. 'Normal' has been redefined. It's time for businesses to catch up and embrace this new era. Employees have a voice, and it's loud and clear: Flexibility matters. #careers #jobs #jobsearch #business #culture
I have been working independently and basically as a "home-based" service provider for over 10 years. I have found that there is a socialization associated with an office environment that I miss (at times). There is something to be said about having other people around you which can be very stimulating for business. Now, I agree, it can also have a negative effect, but in many cases, the benefits outweigh the potential downsides. I wish I had an office with others for a couple of days a week.
I love this, when our department was asked to return to office in a hybrid model, I wasn’t happy but I did get to meet some amazing people in person. So wild I love the advantages that come with working remotely I will begrudgingly admit that working in office allowed me to make new connections I otherwise may not have made. I suppose if I had my way, I’d like to come into office once or twice a month for meetings and such. That is just my opinion.
I agree Melissa Grabiner - it seems like we have two competing messages from companies - "we want employees to be mentally and physically healthy and well, but also let's go back into the office where you might have anywhere from a 30 minute to 2-hour commute". That just doesn't make sense to me. You also expand your talent pool significantly if you allow remote work. I am thankfully at a company that supports remote work, but I wish some companies would give people the option. They might be surprised at who wants to go back into the office if it is their choice. I would go into an office if I have to, but it's nice to have the flexibility and not spend money and time on what you mentioned above.
I think we should have the option to choose. There should be plenty of roles that are on-site, remote, and hybrid. I prefer working on-site. But I would love for more people to work remote because that means less traffic for me during my commute to and from work.
Flexibility, where able, should be an option for so many. On that we agree! Especially in an economy where a family needs two full working incomes...it's almost a necessity to have that flexibility. And heaven help you if you are a single parent. Or a caregiver to an elderly parent. You get the idea. I'm in an industry where most direct roles don't have that option. I'm proud to be there, but I'd be lying if I didn't wish for a day or two every week or every other week to work on admin stuff in quiet.
I absolutely want to dress up to go to work. I want to go somewhere every day. I enjoy the drive. I never know what I'll see and experience. It makes my life richer.
Finding remote work as a Canadian that isn’t an app where I put my qualifications and hope for the best is proving to be difficult. Do you have suggestions on how to find remote jobs?
Flexibility is currency. Period. People will take pay cuts to have flexibility.
Software Engineer
5moEven beyond that, there is one massive benefit that cannot be overstated. Two words: "Kids. Logistics." If I had to work in-office from 9 - 5 every day, I would have had to turn down jobs simply because I could not get the kids to their daycare / school and then reach the office by 9. Beyond the inconvenience, loss of productivity, and missed personal opportunities, family-obligations and other matters that can make a job entirely non-viable cease to be such an issue when working remotely. Also, I am looking at companies where the closest office is a seven-hour drive away. That commute would obviously be a logistical red flag for anyone if they do not permit remote work.