Freedom-Seeking Remote Workers
The one who makes good money, runs errands during the day, and will take a pay cut to avoid returning to the office.
Remote work has firmly established itself as a permanent fixture in today’s job landscape, with some workers choosing to bid farewell to their office desks rather than return.
While most of the workforce still heads into the office, a substantial number of Americans continue working from the comfort of their homes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent teleworking data as of September 30, 2022, around 3% of the workforce works entirely remotely, with approximately 11.1% of companies nationwide permitting remote work — a noticeable increase from 10.3% in 2021. An analysis of American Community Survey data by the Government Accountability Office in 2021 revealed that roughly 18% of workers primarily worked from home during the week.
However, even as some companies reduce their telework offerings, the question of when and where work happens remains a constant tug-of-war. Many workers I’ve spoken to have decided to leave their jobs, some even accepting lower pay to retain the privilege of working from home. With office mandates on the rise, this battle shows no signs of abating.
