Distant Jobs Extra Safe Than Workplace Roles 

Versatile working might save your job this yr. Unique knowledge from Startups reveals that firms clinging to a totally in-office tradition have been twice as more likely to have laid off employees previously 12 months, in comparison with distant and hybrid-friendly counterparts.

Startups surveyed a consultant pattern of 546 UK companies in direction of the tip of 2023. The outcomes present that 38% of absolutely in-office companies made job cuts final yr, in comparison with 16% of distant groups.

Versatile work choices are already among the many most essential worker advantages for these on the hunt for brand new jobs. Now, it appears there’s an extra job safety incentive for in search of a hybrid or absolutely distant position this yr.

Distant groups liberated from layoffs

Mass redundancies dominated final yr’s headlines as employers like Meta, Google, and X (previously Twitter) sought to save cash.

This pattern is not fading in 2024. The New Yr has already seen tech giants like Amazon and Google saying layoffs, underscoring the necessity for change.

Startups’ analysis pinpoints working from dwelling (WFH) as probably the most cost-effective protect in opposition to layoffs. Shrinking or ditching workplace area means firms can save on certainly one of their highest bills whereas sustaining a steady workforce.

Even switching to a partly-remote mannequin was discovered to have a optimistic impression. Hybrid companies, the place staff have been required to enter the workplace for 2 or three days per week, additionally confirmed an enchancment on absolutely in-office counterparts with a layoff fee of 30%.

Richard Parris, Managing Editor of Startups.co.uk, feedback: “It’s chilly, it’s gray, and it takes you an hour to get there every morning. However, there’s but another excuse to resent your workplace as we start 2024: it might value you your job.

“Our analysis discovered that companies permitting staff to work absolutely distant roles or hybrid setups have much less danger of shedding employees, in comparison with these with a totally in-office tradition.”

WFH higher for psychological well being

Current discussions on necessary in-office insurance policies have highlighted considerations about their impression on staff’ psychological well-being.

Final week, WebMD’s mother or father firm elicited groans with its cringeworthy, ‘back-to-the-office’ video. Google’s pressured return to desk life has additionally fueled worker dissent.

Employees who refuse to surrender earn a living from home privileges have pointed to the improved work-life stability and psychological well-being they obtain consequently. After years of debate, it appears their arguments are lastly resonating with decision-makers.

This enchancment to psychological well being doesn’t simply prolong to employees, but additionally to these operating firms, too. The Startups survey additionally exhibits that 11% of enterprise leaders in full-time office-based roles report decrease psychological well-being in comparison with these operating distant or hybrid-working companies.

Versatile working to blow up in 2024

With even the C-Suite now experiencing the advantages of versatile working, 2024 could possibly be the yr the controversy round distant versus workplace working is lastly gained.

In our survey, 66% of enterprise leaders advised Startups they intend to enhance their versatile work choices this yr.

This contains 12% saying they have been contemplating introducing a four-day work week, and 14% who purpose to extend the variety of days employees can work remotely.

Conversely, and in excellent news for workers, simply 6% of employers mentioned they supposed to extend the variety of days their employees have been anticipated to attend the workplace in 2024.

Distant work might win the expertise warfare

With job safety considerations rising, the Startups survey means that firms providing distant or hybrid work fashions could possibly be relating to hiring proper.

The findings are notably related to employers as a result of the survey additionally discovered that 80% of respondents are actively in search of to extend their employees over the subsequent yr.

Distant work could possibly be the key recruitment weapon for HR groups. It aligns with latest tendencies within the job market, the place versatile work choices have gotten more and more essential to staff.

Staff have even been discovered to prioritise dwelling working preparations over wage, suggesting {that a} hybrid or distant working coverage might assist companies supply the perfect expertise whereas maintaining staffing and payroll prices down.

Parris provides: “For those who’re looking out for a brand new position this January, the sensible cash is on making use of for distant and hybrid positions. In addition to the improved work-life stability and decrease commuting prices, you might profit from higher job safety, too.”