How Many People Work Remotely in Ireland
Remote work has been a hot topic since the COVID-19 Pandemic. With the pandemic situation around the world being normalised, and businesses reopening in some time, it seems employees choose to have the option of working from home or remotely not out of necessity but because they want to. According to a new report, Ireland's workforce has transitioned to hybrid working at a faster rate than any other country in the EU, with a quarter of workers now working from home most of the time. In 2019, just 7% of people said they worked from home, but in 2022 this surged to 25% the highest increase of any country in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ireland's workforce has become hugely adaptable in many ways throughout the pandemic and up to now. When millions of employers and employees had no choice but to work remotely, once they adapted to this, they realized how many benefits there are to working from home.
According to a remote work survey in Ireland 2023, Ireland has the highest percentage of 33% of employed people aged 20-64 working from home at least half of the days worked, especially IT workers in Ireland.
The importance of remote work pre and post-COVID-19
As many Irish employees now work from home most of the time, a survey found that 54% of employees strongly agree that the option to work from home, part-time or full-time, has become important to them. Before COVID-19, a significantly smaller number of 34% felt this way about remote working. It is clear to see that workers opinions on working remotely have changed a lot because of the drastic circumstances that the world dealt with during the worldwide pandemic.
What do employees think of remote working conditions?
85% of participants in the survey believe that remote working is beneficial for both employers and employees. 4% of participants felt that is good for employees, but bad for the company, which could signal concerns about the potential negative impact of remote work on company culture or productivity. 2% of participants felt it would have a negative impact on employee work-life balance or well-being. The remaining 5% of participants were unsure about their opinion on remote working arrangements.
Benefits of Flexible Remote Working
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working is here to stay. There are many benefits and advantages to working from home. Some of these may open your eyes and how it has an impact on employees, the planet, the economy, and the employers.
Better work-life balance
Many remote jobs offer flexible schedules which means that workers can start their day and end their day as they choose. Once their work is complete this will lead to strong outcomes.
Cost Savings
People who work from home can save money on the travel costs commute to work, pay for lunch and parking, clothing, the list is endless. Remote working will save on these expenses. This means more disposable income available to buy other things.
Positive environmental impact
Workers who operated remotely amid the pandemic played a role in diminishing greenhouse gas emissions. Through eco-friendly decisions such as selecting energy-efficient air conditioning, minimizing paper usage, and optimizing heating and lighting, telecommuters wield a collective influence on air quality equivalent to the positive environmental impact of planting a forest containing 91 million trees.
Increased performance and productivity
Working remotely typically results in reduced office politics, lower noise levels, fewer disruptions, and more streamlined meetings. Remote employees experience increased productivity due to having more time and fewer distractions, benefiting both individuals and employers. When executed effectively, remote work enables a concentration on essential aspects like performance, as opposed to potential biases and favouritism that can arise in traditional office settings. The appearance of dedication through early arrivals and late departures may not accurately reflect true productivity, emphasizing the importance of actual performance as a reliable measure.
Health and happiness
Employees who work remotely with flexibility often experience increased happiness and loyalty. This is partly attributed to the fact that remote work has been proven to reduce stress, allow more time for hobbies and interests, and enhance personal relationships. Furthermore, relationships with co-workers and managers can be more positive when freed from the distractions and office politics associated with in-person jobs, contributing to overall well-being.
Working from home can also lead to better health in a variety of ways:
- Less exposure to illnesses
- The ability to eat healthier
- The option to create a comfortable and ergonomic workspace
- More time for physical activity
- Can recover from illness or surgery at home
- Ease of caring for a health issue or disability
Location
One advantage of remote work for individuals is the flexibility to work from any location. This eliminates the need to be tied to a city that may not align with personal preferences, reducing the need for unnecessary travel. In situations where a partner is required to be situated in a specific location, remote work enables individuals to maintain their employment or facilitate a smoother transition. Regardless of whether one resides atop a mountain or by the seaside, remote work is not constrained by location; as long as there's a reliable internet connection, individuals can work from anywhere in the world.
Though the pandemic may have been the catalyst for remote work for many millions of employees around the world, it’s far from the only reason to work from home. Indeed, the benefits of working from home impact so many things on a global scale that it’s sure to become the best path forward.
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