Remote work is more popular than ever. In fact, one survey revealed that 80 percent of people either work hybrid or remotely.

Because remote work is on the rise nationwide, many professionals have chosen to exit expensive cities and start over in smaller and less costly areas.

What are the outcomes of the current trends in employee moving behavior and remote work? How can people address the challenges of moving for remote work and maximize the benefits?

Remote Work and Moving Trends

Over one in ten Americans decided to move away in the midst of the pandemic. For most of these people, the primary reason for moving was the transition to exclusively remote work. 

Whether moving from NYC to Philadelphia or Los Angeles to Austin, many professionals have reported benefits from relocating to a new place (perhaps with a lower cost of living or closer proximity to family).

For example, some say that working from home has minimized toxic company cultures and improved their mental health. 

One survey of 200 HR leaders revealed that before transitioning to remote work, 32 percent of respondents described their organization’s culture as either “somewhat” or “extremely” toxic. After transitioning, the number dropped to a mere 17 percent.

How Have Jobs Changed?

Remote work doesn’t just positively influence individual workers. It’s also had many significant effects on jobs countrywide, such as:

• Increased job accessibility: With remote options on the table, more people can apply and get hired for jobs they wouldn’t have pursued.
• Increased job flexibility: Many employees can be just as (if not more) productive without working the conventional 9-5 schedule.
• Increased job satisfaction: Employees who work remotely often feel more satisfied. These feelings might come from enjoying a greater sense of work-life balance.

Of course, it’s worth noting that not all jobs can be done remotely.

Remote work is feasible for those who work in information technology, communication, professional, technical, and administrative fields.

However, the same isn’t true for people working in skilled trades and service jobs. They generally need to be onsite, meaning they and their positions are not affected as significantly by the shift to remote work.

How Have Businesses Changed?

Organizations in numerous industries can also see significant changes from the growing worldwide shift to remote work. Here are some specific outcomes that may result from more people working remotely:

• Higher retention levels: Employees may be more inclined to be loyal to their employer long-term if they have the option to work from home, at least part-time.
• Better company reputation: Companies that offer flexibility and allow employees to work remotely may have a better reputation, making it easier for them to hire more talented people when recruiting.
• Increased productivity: When employees are happy, loyal, and engaged, they get more done, completing projects on time and maintaining their motivation.

As mentioned above, it’s unlikely that employees in the service or skilled trade industries can do their jobs remotely now or in the future. As remote work continues becoming more popular, organizations in these fields may experience ongoing labor shortages as people continue seeking jobs they can do from their homes.

Pros and Cons of Moving for Remove Work 

Allowing employees to work from home is not the right option for everyone. If you are thinking about relocating as a remote employee, you must understand the advantages and drawbacks that come with this approach. 

Cons

Discussed below are some of the most common issues people experience after taking their remote job to a new location:

Technical issues

Some remote employees notice issues with internet and phone connections. Poor or unreliable connections can interfere with their ability to do their jobs well or collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients.

Loneliness

It’s normal for remote employees to feel lonely when they move to a new place without easy access to friends or family. Prolonged loneliness comes with a variety of unique physiological and psychological symptoms, such as increased anxiety and a weakened immune system.

Time zone trouble

If remote employees move far away from their company’s headquarters, they will likely have to adjust their work hours to accommodate different time zones. These adjustments can interfere with their ability to enjoy the benefits of living in a new place since they’ll be working when others are relaxing and vice versa.

Pros 

Now that you understand the potential challenges, let’s address the many benefits that come from relocating to a new place. Here are some of the most significant positives, as well as tips on how you can maximize them:

Lower cost of living

Many people chose to leave expensive cities and move to smaller, more affordable ones after they got a chance to work remotely during the pandemic. This transition meant they could stretch their paychecks and relax their budgets a bit.

Fewer expenses

Often, remote workers report having fewer expenses compared to when they commuted to and from an office. For example, they don’t have to spend as much money on gas, public transportation, or office-appropriate clothing, giving them more flexibility with their finances.

Access to family and friends

While loneliness is common for some remote workers, others feel less lonely after transitioning to remote work and moving to a new place. If they were able to choose an area closer to family or friends, for instance, they had the opportunity to strengthen essential relationships and avoid loneliness.

Is Your Company Going Remote?

Like any business decision, there are pros and cons that result from shifting to remote work, whether your company goes 100 percent remote or takes a hybrid approach.

Keep the information discussed above in mind so you can make the right decisions for your team, anticipate potential challenges they might face, and support them through upcoming transitions.

Do you need more help with these tasks? If so, check out Workpay.

Workpay is a complete employee management solution that helps you align time management, payroll, and salary payment processes in one centralized location.