Is Remote Work More Than a Phase?

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), recently shared that workers have held an advantage in a historically competitive labor market. However, some business leaders doubt the current level of remote work is sustainable because it misses some of the key drivers for performance, productivity, and growth. Many leaders want workers in the office as they prepare for a potential recession and a more competitive environment where efficiency needs to be leveraged.  

In conversations Talencio has had with executives of other organizations, their sentiment aligns with Johnny Taylor. These executives are interested in synergy, collaboration, innovation, in-person communication, new ideas, problem-solving, brainstorming, and values and cultural integration and alignment. 

Is remote work more than a phase? Gallup asked workers if they would look for a new job if their employer stopped offering remote work options, and 54% of employees currently working exclusively from home said they would likely look for another job; 38% of hybrid workers said the same.

At Talencio, we believe remote work is here to stay but it is not necessarily the right choice for every organization. It is important for companies to carefully determine how they wish to move forward and find employees who fit that decision and culture. It is not a one size fits all situation. Having the right people in the right seat, and aligned with culture, builds a productive employee/employer relationship. This is key to surviving an economic downturn or explosive growth. 

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management and author of “Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”