A reported decline in remote jobs in the UK is “baffling” considering remote work’s undeniable benefits and popularity amongst the workforce, as well as the fact that resources exist to help job seekers and employers satisfy their remote work needs.
This is according to Joseph Boll, CEO of Remote Worker, an online jobs board that specialises in helping hiring managers and businesses connect with job-seeking professionals for remote work positions.
His response follows new data by LinkedIn, which in its Global Talent Trends found that fewer UK employers offered remote work this fall than did in the spring. According to that data, 16 per cent of jobs in the UK were remote in January 2022; but just 12 per cent of them were remote by September. This is despite countless studies indicating that most British workers want at least some form of remote work.
“It’s baffling,” said Boll. “The workforce could not be more clear about what they expect out of their jobs, and many have threatened to leave over it. There are also resources like Remote Worker to help companies that may have been struggling to find the right candidate. The benefits of remote work have been repeated consistently across multiple studies around the world. It’s a sincere win-win and companies have next to nothing to lose if they get with the program.”
Dozens of studies and research have shown that workers and job seekers in the UK highly value remote work. The popularity of remote jobs is at an all-time high, with no signs of slowing despite a return-to-office mandate implemented by many companies earlier this year. Additionally, the incoming labour market of new graduates mostly expects to have either remote or hybrid jobs. In some cases, British workers have indicated wanting the opportunity to work remotely even more than a high salary or a four-day workweek.
LinkedIn’s own in-house data further underscores the intense demand for remote work. Although only 12 per cent of jobs in the UK were remote in September, according to its data, those same jobs are receiving more than 20 per cent of the region’s applicants, indicating how much the desire overshadows the demand.
Thankfully, Boll said, those seeking remote jobs, as well as organisations seeking to hire for remote positions, can still rely on Remote Worker as a resource dedicated solely to remote work.
“Even before the pandemic, we’ve always maintained that remote work is the way of the future and is here to stay,” said the CEO. “We will continue to provide our services to hiring managers and job seekers alike.”
