Companies all around the world have adopted new hybrid workforce models and are changing the way they engage their workers.  In this article we have provided some hard statistics that show the impact of COVID-19 on workforce models and look at what the future holds for the remote workforce.

THE UNITED STATES LEADS THE WAY FOR REMOTE WORKERS

Having such a large population, the United States is leading the way in terms of numbers of remote workers.

Zoom has become a household name due to COVID-19 and the impacts on the global workforce.  Virtual meetings have become ‘normal’ and the new workaround for connecting with others.  While many organizations and workers were already using remote workforce models and well versed in managing a remote workforce, many have been forced to adapt.

45.74% of traffic to Zoom’s website comes from the United States.

The United States showed the highest amount of traffic to zoom. Other countries following were Turkey 4.12%, Canada at 4.11%, the U.K at 3.8% and India at 3.05%. While zoom is not the only video conferencing software on the market and there are other platforms with high usage,  36.2% of the global web conferencing, shows the market is owned by Zoom.

GROWTH OF CUSTOMERS WITH MORE THAN 10 EMPLOYEES

Zoom stats tracking the growth of customers with more than 10 employees since Q1 2019.

It’s clear to see the shift of the workforce to remote working models, brought about by COVID-19.  Many companies and their workforces adapted to the changes in workforce requirements in 2020.  Even more have embraced remote work in 2021, as represented in the below graph, showing  growth and adaptation of customers.

IN APRIL 2020, MICROSOFT REPORTED HITTING OVER 75 MILLION DAILY ACTIVE USERS ON TEAMS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

REMOTE WORKFORCE BUSINESS SUPPORT

The spend for technology and telecommunications tools has increased substantially to support with adaptation to new remote workforce models. The below graph shows the percentage of business investments in various tools and technologies to support their remote workforce.  48 percent of respondents state having invested in cloud-enabled tools and technologies. Digital collaboration tools ranked second, which further emphasizes the importance of empowering a virtual workforce with the use of of technology.

ONBOARDING REMOTE WORKERS

One of the challenges of managing a remote workforce during COVID-19 has been the onboarding of new hires.  Some companies have reported that coaching and onboarding new hires remotely has been worse since COVID-19.  For many companies, remote onboarding needs new solutions.  Outsourcing onboarding and compliance checks to a third party to manage makes for quicker time to fill and reduces risk.  Although some companies may return to in-office working, maintaining a hybrid workplace post-COVID-19 is a possibility for both employers and employees and one which many companies will continue to embrace.

FUTURE OF REMOTE WORK

Remote work is here to stay.  The way companies engage their employed and self-employed workers has changed.  Whether engaging global workers, remote workers or employed staff, the world of work has opened up to new levels.  A 2020 Gartner report shows 36. 74% of companies plan to shift some of their employees to remote working permanently.

How COVID-19 has impacted the workforce:

  • 74% of CFOs and Finance Leaders say that they will move at least 5% of their employees to remote working permanently after the pandemic.
  • 25% of the participants say they will move 10% of their workforce to remote working permanently.
  • 4% of the respondents plan to have about 50% of remote workforce post-pandemic.

It is forecast that 25% to 30% of the workforce will be working remotely from home, multiple days per week, by the end of 2021.

While 16.44% of global companies don’t allow remote work, 17.16% are fully remote, and 40% of global companies have a hybrid workforce model in place.

ORGANIZATION OF THE FUTURE

Hybrid models of remote work are likely to continue on in a post pandemic world.

Organizations of the future are re-shaping to suit the new landscape.

Kathryn Hopkins

Originally from New Zealand, Kathryn joined CXC in 2012, where she worked with the New Zealand and Australia offices, before moving to the United States in 2014, where she now resides in Los Angeles. Having a background in sales and marketing in a range of industries, including the recruitment and tech sectors and working for top brands including Microsoft, Sony, Qantas and Deutche Bank gives her a well-rounded approach to business and understanding of the successes and intricacies at all levels. Kathryn now heads up marketing for CXC in North America and has been key in developing CXC’s online presence and brand awareness, focusing on contingent workforce, gig economy, workforce trends, future of work and global compliance.