Remote work is no longer a concept reserved for only the cushiest of jobs.
Over the last decade, remote working programs have increased at a rate of around 159%. As employees from all environments look for greater work/life balance, remote employment is increasingly becoming the norm.
The term "remote working" refers to any employment opportunity that allows a staff member to complete their duties outside of the office. Usually, this means using a combination of cloud-based tools, and collaboration applications. In a world where video conferencing, file sharing and cloud storage are becoming increasingly accessible, remote work is on the rise. We're beginning to see a future where work is something you do, not just a place you go to.
What is Remote Working?
Also known as telecommuting and telework, remote working involves working in any location outside of your business. This could mean finishing your tasks at home, interacting with team members from a local coffee shop, or sending emails on the road. In years gone by, working from home, or cafes wouldn't have been a possibility for most companies. If your colleagues wanted to get in touch with you, they couldn't simply hope you'd pick up the phone or eventually answer an email.
However, the rise of tools like video conferencing, instant messaging, and even presence features is making remote working more accessible. Now, full-time remote positions are a genuine opportunity for many professionals. As the cost of commuting and the price of office real estate continues to increase, remote working could be the more cost-effective option.
Remote working has both been driven by and affected the communication technology we use every day. For instance, the rise of team collaboration tools, in part is what makes remote working a possibility for so many companies. However, collaborative applications would never have achieved the popularity they have today without the demand of remote workers to drive them.
The modern communication environment is becoming increasingly flexible and mobile. Employees want to be able to connect in real-time across a range of devices, and as such, in office communication is changing. Today, we're growing less reliant on emails and in-office emails, and more dependent on huddle rooms, video calls, and file sharing.
Many studies suggest that as the workforce continues to become progressively digital, virtual tools like video conferencing and collaboration apps will become the preferred form of communication. FastCompany even believes that digital communication will become preferable to face-to-face conversations.
Remote Working Trends
The working landscape has changed. Research suggests that remote work will equal or surpass fixed office employment by 2025. What's more, half of the UK is expected to be working remotely at least part-time by 2020. Some of the trends that are helping to transform the workplace environment as we know it includes:
1. Advanced Collaboration Tools
Collaborative tools like Slack have been around for some time, but they've only recently begun to gain popularity among the enterprise. As remote work emerges as the new norm, organisations are beginning to seek out more comprehensive collaborative tools. Applications that offer instant and real-time messaging are rarely enough anymore. Companies want tools that allow them to track employee performance, launch video conferences, and even share files or screens within seconds.
