The Prevalence of Work from Home Jobs
The Prevalence of Work from Home Jobs
Contrary to popular belief, not all jobs can be performed remotely. Service and factory jobs are typically not options for remote work, whereas office jobs may require initial setup such as configuring home offices and setting up necessary equipment. Some jobs combine both remote and in-office duties, such as taking orders from home and then going to the office to ship them. Medical professionals, for example, can consult with patients via video but cannot perform certain procedures remotely.
Remote Work in Action
A 2020 study by Citi and the Oxford Group reported that about 50% of professions can be done remotely on a permanent basis and be successful. The pandemic has shown that around 80-90% of jobs can be conducted from home in emergencies, albeit not on a permanent basis. The success of remote work largely depends on the industry, the job itself, and the technological advancements available.
For instance, a retail clerk can rarely, if ever, work from home effectively due to the nature of their job. In the United States, classified projects are generally not allowed for remote work. On the opposite end of the spectrum, software engineering has seen a significant rise in remote work opportunities as the supporting technologies have improved. Recent trends show that the technology used in software engineering is becoming more conducive to remote work, making it a more common practice.
During my personal journey, I can attest to the evolving nature of remote work. Back in 1998, I occasionally worked from home due to occasional events. With an internet connection, I could download and upload files from my home computer, but I relied heavily on my own bandwidth and resources. This was practical only in extreme situations, like after a big snowstorm. In 2008, a job offered a near 100% remote work plan with a company-issued laptop. We even used GoToMeeting and Google Chat for frequent meetings.
In 2017, another job was nearly 100% remote, despite the office being only 10 minutes away. Ongoing improvements in communication tools made it nearly seamless to work from home. At my current employer, we work remotely on Fridays, and there is no one present in the office. While I could work more frequently from home if I wished, there are significant benefits to being physically in the office, as we do not have tools like GoToMeeting. We use an internal messaging app for communication when our colleagues are out of the office for the day.
The level of remote work varies greatly based on the industry. My sister-in-law, an accountant, worked from home 100% of the time until she became a manager. My wife, a Child and Family Investigator, also works from home 100% of the time. Conversely, my son-in-law, an electrician, does not work from home at all, despite having the ability (as he re-wired his whole house).
Therefore, the prevalence of remote work ultimately depends on the specific job, the industry, and the company’s stance and tools. As technology evolves and workplace policies adapt to remote working, remote job opportunities will likely become more widespread. The key is understanding the unique needs of each job and industry to determine if full or partial remote work is feasible and beneficial.