The changing world of work

New technologies are making it easier than ever to create intercontinental workforces and put our businesses on the global map. Employees are looking to use this new connectivity to create a better work-life balance and to make their daily output more efficient.

Our latest survey shows how this change has already started, and reveals many of the ideas and motivations behind the flexible working revolution.

Remote working on the rise

54% 83%

54% of global respondents 83% of executives plan to already work remotely 2.5 increase their use of flexible days per week or more. employment in the coming years, meaning these numbers are set to rise.

The global context

Working mothers, ageing populations and young workers seeking flexibility are changing the nature of the global workforce.

6%

Returning mothers

13%

Older workers remaining beyond their pensionable age

19%

Outsourced suppliers

22%

Part-time workers

29%

Freelance workers

30%

Consultants

33%

Other

The role of technology

New Cloud technology, better Wi-Fi and modern communication tools mean we’re on call 24/7.

Messaging tools used in the previous month:

Whatsapp Skype Messenger WeChat Viber QQ MessageMe Tango ChatOn Hike Kakaotalk Nibuzz

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Online flexible working tools used in the last month:

Dropbox Google Drive Video conferencing Team Viewer WeTransfer Server cloud access Google Hangouts MS Remote Desktop Chrome remote desktop Virtual workgroups Apple remote desktop GoToMyPC LogMeIn Ignition Splashtop Wyse PocketCloud

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Relishing remote work

As these tech advances help employees take their work with them, they’re increasingly seeing the advantages of flexible workspaces.

Reasons global business people plan to work remotely in the coming year:

59% 56% 55% Be closer to Improve Improve travel clients and concentration schedule prospects

53% 51% 46% Improve Attend events Improve morale productivity and training sessions

46% 39% 38% Be closer to Be closer to Get away from my family members of noisy home my team

37% 34% 29% Get away from Because I am Be close to noisy office working overtime suppliers

Limitations of home working

Remote working can be challenging: 45% of global survey respondents say they find it hard to concentrate at home.

Top home working grievances globally:

49%

Family demanding attention

45%

Difficulty concentrating

40%

Family/pets disturbing phone calls

30%

Lack of office equipment

29%

Household noises

22%

Slow/unreliable internet

10%

Personal financial cost

The future

Working remotely is not synonymous with home working:

Just 36%

of telecommuters are based at home.

Business people working remotely 2.5 days a week or more:

China India Mexico South Africa France Japan Global average USA Brazil Germany Netherlands Australia Belgium Canada UK

30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65%

As companies move to more flexible working practices, their workspaces will become smaller, more numerous and more global.

Main drivers of flexible working in the coming year:

51% 44% 41% 38% 37%

Businesses wanting Working demanding Workers demanding Businesses wanting Businesses avoiding to save reduce to work close to home to work remotely to be more agile as fixed leases o ce costs they seek to grow

35% 35% 25% 24% 19%

Businesses Businesses Businesses hoping Businesses hoping Businesses wanting to scale wanting to be to improve sta to attract top sta expanding abroad sta numbers more reactive to retention more flexibly market changes

Workers get the freedom and productivity benefits of remote working without the downsides of being at home. All while companies boost their productivity, reach new markets and reduce overheads.