Worldwide ERC® Launches Research Report on Remote Work Policies

Learn about Transformation of the Global Workforce: Remote Work, a new Worldwide ERC® study of insights from CHROs on where work is going after a transformational year.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly gained new ground around the world in late 2019 and early 2020, few could have foreseen just how much would change in terms of personal and professional circumstances. Over the course of a year, the pandemic prompted companies to rethink their policies and operations to keep employees safe and healthy while ensuring successful business continuity. Leaders had to act quickly and strategically to address unexpected considerations in navigating workplace policies, including with regards to employee management, benefits allocation, and compliance not seen before on such a global scale.

That’s why Worldwide ERC® launched Industry Insights - a series of new insights from senior HR executives, corporate mobility professionals, and mobility service providers on where work is going, and how each stakeholder group has navigated these unprecedented transformations. Our first in the series, Transformation of the Global Workforce: Remote Work, focuses on remote work, sharing the perspectives of a global panel of 600 CHROs and senior human resources leaders, with equal respondents from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Here’s what we found out:

Remote Work is the New Reality

Remote work is no longer just an occasional perk, it’s now one of the most important factors to businesses around the world. Our survey found that 80.9% of employers with more than 10,000 employees anticipate that 50% or more of their workforce will be working remotely on a permanent basis. But whether the numbers are 50%, higher or lower, true remote work policies are critical to business operations and the employees within them, demonstrating that remote work is here to stay.

Work from Home Policies Still Evolving

A resounding 100% of research participants implemented at least some form of remote work policy, with roughly half of them rolling out formal “work from anywhere” policies. Another 40% are considering implementation of such policies. More change is ahead, with 96% of employers still working to determine which roles are best suited for on-premises work, remote work, or hybrid work. Our research goes further in depth in these policies to gain even more insight to how senior HR leaders have built remote work policies for where work is going.

Work-Life Balance a Key Factor for Senior HR Leaders

If there’s one thing this past year has taught us, it’s the resounding importance of mental health and well-being of employees. True to this sentiment, our report shows that offering a better work-life balance was the top priority for senior HR leaders trying to mitigate the toll that the pandemic, and working remotely, can take on employees—especially those who share their workspace with remote-working partners and remote-learning children.

These are just some of the factors that are now a top priority to attract, engage, and support talented employees. Most senior HR leaders have stepped up to the plate to help their organizations navigate these difficult times to deliver exceptional remote workforce policies. As it becomes apparent that many organizations are likely to continue allowing significant segments of their workforce to be remote, there are key lessons to be learned and insight to gain from this experience – and our report can shed even more light on the importance of remote work policies for a transformed workforce. Read the full Transformation of the Global Workforce: Remote Work here!