• Staying at home may be the best way to get the most done at work. That is according to a new Korn Ferry survey of professionals regarding working virtually.
The vast majority of respondents (88 percent) say they are more productive when they work virtually, and 84 percent say they actually work more when they don’t go into the office.
More than a third (38 percent) say they work virtually full time, with a third (33 percent) saying they work remotely 1-2 days per week. The majority (82 percent) say that when they work remotely, they work from home.
According to the survey, working virtually has become much more accepted, as 80 percent say their employer has become more favorable to remote workers in the last two years. Seventy-nine percent say working virtually does not hinder their career advancement and 78 percent say their colleagues who go into the office every day do not resent them for working virtually.
“The virtual work phenomenon is here to stay, and it’s only going to involve more people over time,” said Jeanne MacDonald, President of Global RPO Solutions for Korn Ferry. “To be successful, virtual workers need to show that they can be productive anywhere, engage with their boss and teams, and enter the workplace strategically. The more they are seen, the more successful they will be when working virtually.”
The survey shows there are some drawbacks to working virtually. The largest percentage of respondents (37 percent) say the biggest obstacle to remote working is loneliness, followed by technical/connectivity issues (32 percent).
“With solid access to the right tools and technology, along with regular interaction with colleagues – such as video conferencing or occasional in-person meetings – remote workers can and should feel productive and part of a team,” said MacDonald.
