NO MATTER WHERE remote workers end up , the workfrom-home structure has been normalized . “ In two years ’ time , after this big experiment of working from home , are they going to start pulling people back into the office ?” asks Andy Rhodes , HP ’ s Global Head of Commercial PCs . “ I think there ’ s been enough change that we ’ ll remain in a hybrid mode .”
This
return of sorts to an uncentralized workplace has merits and challenges . “ The biggest positive is that you can choose where you live ,” says Choudhury . And if employees are remote half the time , they can
pocket up to $ 4,000 a year , thanks to less money spent on commuting , parking , and that $ 13 downtown lunch . They also have more time to spend with loved ones , exercising , or socializing .
Employers win , too : Businesses can minimize their physical ( and carbon ) footprint , but maximize their recruiting reach and hire talent from anywhere . Companies can also
save up to $ 11,000 a year for each employee who works remotely at least half the time . And they can also reduce budgets on business travel and airfare , hotels , and events , and — if location is no longer consequential — opt for smaller , less expensive office space .
Remote work also has the potential to prevent brain drain . “ Scholars like me have studied the phenomenon of smaller towns losing talent to cities , or emerging markets losing talent to the West ,” says Choudhury . “ Now that talent can come back .”
Just
36 %
of homes in
US
cities like New York and San Francisco have a spare bedroom
SOURCE : HARRIS AND ZILLOW
BEND , OREGON , HAS THE MOST SUNNY DAYS IN THE STATE ON AVERAGE — AROUND 263 A YEAR . IT ALSO HAS ONE OF THE LONGEST SKI SEASONS IN THE UNITED STATES , RUNNING THROUGH THE END OF MAY .
But the wherever office isn ’ t without pitfalls — ask any worker juggling children , homeschooling , pets , and shaky Wi-Fi . Traveling from room to room to avoid noisy kids , leaf-blowing neighbors , competing video calls , or sunlight has become the new business travel . This new micro-mobility means workers must have the right tools for success . “ How does technology enable everyone to give their best self when they are working remotely ?” asks Rhodes .
According to Rhodes , it takes up to 23 minutes for workers to regain focus after a disruption while remote , and caregiving or other responsibilities could create “ second-class ” employees who are at a disadvantage
HP / INNOVATION / SPRING 2021 34