A new LinkedIn study shows that the demand for remote work currently overshadows the availability of remote jobs.
Key Details
- Remote work has been one of the most debated subjects this year, as millions of people embrace it while companies fear low productivity and cohesion outside of the office.
- As we previously reported though, LinkedIn has been reporting that the remote jobs market is shrinking in the U.K. and now it appears to be shrinking in the U.S. too as the job market tightens.
- A new report from LinkedIn shows that competition for remote jobs is intensifying. Abut 50% of applications made through the site are for remote work but only 15% of job postings are remote.
Why it’s Important
As LinkedIn’s studies in the U.S. and U.K. show, workers seeking greener pastures may start to find themselves with fewer opportunities.
“Applicants want remote jobs, but the number of postings that allow people to work from home is dwindling as companies start to call workers back to offices … But the balance of power is starting to shift away from workers and back to employers as the labor market shows more signs of cooling down,” says Axios.
As we previously reported, Twitter CEO Elon Musk demanded all staff return to the office shortly after taking over the company. Snapchat is demanding employees work in the office 80% of the time. General Motors is requiring a three-day office week as of January 30. Hybrid remote-office work may be popular and may present the future of work but the market will be challenging as recession fears and high unemployment settle in.
Backing up a Bit
Remote work has become one of the most contentious issues for major corporations and firms over the past year. Studies have shown that having the option of remote work is preferred by a majority of employees but CEOs and employers are nervous about how it affects productivity and company culture.
Workers are demanding more flexibility in their work or threatening to walk away. AT&T and Apple faced backlash for attempting to mandate remote workers to return to the office. Roughly 27 million employees in the United States currently work from home.