How Remote Work Revolutionizes Diversity and Inclusion
April 21, 2023
To secure your remote workforce, lock down ‘your’ computers
May 3, 2023
The American Opportunity Survey illuminates how many people are offered the option to work from home, who works flexibly, and how they feel about it.
McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey revealed that 58% of Americans reported having the option to work from home at least one day a week, and 35% reported having the chance to work from home five days a week. 87% of respondents took advantage of this opportunity, representing a tectonic shift in where, when, and how Americans want to work and are working.
1. Thirty-five percent of job holders can work from home full-time, and 23 percent can do so part-time.
Flexible working has grown significantly since 2019, with 58% of employed respondents having the option to work from home for all or part of the week. 35% can work from home full-time, 23% can work from one to four days a week, and 40% don’t have a choice. Employers may need to explore ways to offer the flexibility employees want to compete for talent effectively.
2. When offered, almost everyone takes the opportunity to work flexibly.
Flexible work is popular, with 80 million Americans engaging in it, but many want to work remotely for much of the week. 87.7% of workers are offered at least some remote work, while 3.3 days a week is more common.
3. Most employees want flexibility, but the averages hide the critical differences.
Employers should know that different groups perceive and experience remote work differently and consider how flexible working fits into their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. Fifty-eight percent of employed respondents say they can work from home at least part of the time, and 65 percent would be willing to do so all the time. Younger workers are more likely than older workers to report having work-from-home opportunities. Employers should consider how flexible working fits their diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
4. Most industries support some flexibility, but digital innovators demand it
Remote work options vary by industry and role, affecting companies competing for talent. A broad range of professions offers remote-work arrangements, reflecting the rise of online education and telemedicine.
5. Job seekers highly value having autonomy over where and when they work.
The most common reason for job hunting is for greater pay, more hours, better career opportunities, and a flexible working arrangement. Employers should consider this when deciding between similar compensation offers.
6. Employees working flexibly report obstacles to peak performance.
According to the survey, those who work in a flexible model are most likely to report experiencing multiple obstacles, followed by those who work entirely remotely and those who work in an office. Some obstacles were reported at higher rates by specific groups, such as mental health issues and problems with physical health, or a hostile work environment.
The American Opportunity Survey revealed that 92 million workers offered flexible work, 80 million engaged in flexible work, and many respondents cited a search for flexible work as a significant motivator to find a new job. Employers must invest in technology, adapt policies, and train employees to create workplaces that integrate people working remotely and on-site. Companies must be thoughtful about which roles can be done partly or fully remotely and be open to the idea that there could be more than is immediately apparent.
