What Business Students Should Know About The Rise of Remote Working

The 411 on Remote Work

The State of Remote Work survey and OWL Labs’ comprehensive analysis of remote work and telecommuting reveal many valuable insights into the world of remote workers and the companies which employ them. Key findings include:

• In addition to 99 percent of remote workers wanting to continue working remotely, 95 percent would encourage others to work remotely, as well.
• People who work remotely report that they are happy in their jobs 29 percent more than on-site workers. In fact, the incentive to work remotely is so strong that 34 percent of workers in the US say they would take a five percent pay cut to work remotely. This doesn’t mean they are underpaid, however: many remote workers earn salaries of more than $100,000 a year -- and in a 2.2x greater number than their on-site counterparts.
• The top reasons employees pursue work remote include enhanced work-life balance (91 percent); better productivity/focus (79 percent); less stress (78 percent) and avoiding a commute (78 percent).
• People see the biggest benefits of remote work as the flexible schedule (40 percent). Working from any location (30 percent); time with family (14 percent); and working from home (13 percent).
• This isn’t to say remote work isn’t without its share of struggles. The biggest is unplugging after work (22 percent). Other struggles included loneliness (19 percent); collaborating and/or communication (17 percent); distractions at home (ten percent); being in a different time zone to teammates (eight percent); staying motivated (eight percent); taking vacation time (seven percent); ‘other’ (four percent); and finding reliable wifi (three percent).
• Wondering how much vacation time companies that employ remote workers offer? The largest proportion of respondents (32 percent) said unlimited! This is followed by four weeks (19 percent); three weeks (15 percent); five weeks (ten percent); two weeks (nine percent); none (eight percent); six weeks (four percent); more than six weeks (two percent); one week (one percent); and less than a week (0.5 percent).
• The vast majority of remote workers (84 percent) reported primarily working from home. Other work locations included coworking spaces (eight percent); coffee shops and cafes (four percent); “other” (three percent); and libraries (0.5 percent).
• Of companies that offer remote work, 40 percent comprise teams made up of both full-time remote and in-office workers; 31 percent comprise teams in which everyone works remotely; 16 percent allow employees to work from home as necessary; and nine percent allow employees to work remotely a certain number of days a week/month. The remaining four percent of remote workers were solo business or freelancers.

The advantages of remote work aren’t limited to employees, though. A Forbes article recently proposed four reasons why remote work benefits businesses, too, including by boosting productivity; drawing from a larger talent pool; reducing costs; and supporting better mental and physical health among their employees.

Remote work is also good for the planet as it cuts back on the air pollution, water pollution, and fossil fuel consumption resulting from commuting.

Gaining the inside edge on remote work

So we’ve established that remote work is a win-win for employees and employers. However, this demand also means there’s steep competition for remote jobs. Furthermore, not everyone has the skills necessary to succeed in remote jobs.

Which begs the question: what skill set best benefits remote workers? The ability to adopt and embrace flexibility -- both in terms of your schedule and your mindset; self-discipline, organization, time management and self-management; initiative, goal-orientation and motivation; excellent written and oral communication skills; problem-solving capabilities; and technical aptitude. These skills are especially sought-after in the business world, as today’s deals are increasingly conducted remotely.

One way to acquire these skills while simultaneously positioning yourself to demonstrate your strong potential as a remote worker to prospective employers? Pursue online studies.

One online option that offers an invaluable inside edge to aspiring remote employees by imbuing in them many of the top skills needed for remote work is the Global Humanistic University (GHU). A private provider of part-time online study programs, GHU offers access to innovative, research-based teaching and learning to students all over the world through its summer schools, bachelor’s, master’s, Custom MBA, and doctoral programs in the fields of business administration, finance, and law.

The online Custom MBA is an ideal study program for students seeking the precise skills they need to reach their professional goals in their choice of English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Students can learn and gain skills in the business fields of International Finance, International Management, Strategic Financial Management, Research Methods, Statistics, Advanced Financial Management, Philosophy and Research Methods, Organizational Behavior, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Managerial Accounting, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Cryptocurrency, Strategy, Leadership, Research Planning, Gerencia Estratégica de Proyectos, Gerencia y Planificación Estratégica, Gerencia Estratégica de Operaciones, and Mergers & Acquisitions.

Online degrees aren’t created equal, and accreditation is one way to separate reputable programs from the rest. GHU, which received its Charter from Curacao’s Ministry of Education, is accredited by numerous agencies, including AQAS, ASIC, and the AAC; is an affiliate member of the AACSB, INQAAHE, CIQG, and IACBE; and is associated with Blue Planet.

“Remote work isn’t just the future of work -- it’s the present,” asserts Owl Labs. Online studies at GHU will not only lead you to an accredited business degree, but also help you stand out as an attractive and qualified candidate in a crowded and competitive field of would-be remote workers…

Article written in association with the Global Humanistic University.