Survey shows 95% believe working remotely makes life easier

Researchers from the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway and the Western Development Commission have revealed that 95% of workers believe working remotely makes life easier.

The third annual National Remote Working Survey also shows that almost one third of workers are willing to move to a new job to secure their remote working preferences– even if it means a pay cut – if their remote working preferences are not facilitated

The findings were led by Professor Alma McCarthy and Noreen O’Connor at NUI Galway, and Tomás Ó Síocháin and Deirdre Frost at the Western Development Commission. The survey gathered responses from more than 8,400 employees, in late April and early May, on their current experience of remote working.

Some of the key Findings include:

– Of those who could work remotely, 52% were currently working hybrid, 40% fully remotely, and only 8% were fully on-site

– If their future remote working preferences were not facilitated, 30% of all respondents indicated that they will change job, with 33% indicating they may change jobs even if it meant a pay cut

– 37% indicated that they will change job and 27% indicated they are open to the possibility of changing jobs, even if it means less promotion opportunities if their future remote working preferences were not facilitated.

– 49% of all respondents clock more hours while remote working, compared to working on-site; 45% work the same hours, and 6% reported that they work fewer hours

– 30% of respondents indicated they spent 30 minutes to an hour of the time they saved commuting working; 27% spent up to half an hour; and 14% spent 1 to 1.5 hours

– Almost half, 49%, believe remote working has no impact on opportunities for promotion, with 33% not yet knowing the impact. 9% believe there is a positive impact while 9% believe there is a negative impact on promotion opportunities.

Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Heather Humphreys said the survey findings would be used by the Government to help enable it to make the right decisions in the area of remote working.

“The Government’s Rural Development Policy, Our Rural Future, clearly recognises the vital role that remote working can play in achieving balanced regional development. At a time when there are labour market shortages, remote working can help companies attract and retain talent,” she said.

The third annual National Remote Working Survey can be seen here.