In 2020, remote work proved to be as transformative as the introduction of horses or sailboats in their time, swiftly becoming a luxury reserved for the wealthy. A recent Ipsos Consumer Tracker poll indicates that remote work is now predominantly available to affluent, college-educated individuals, creating a divide based on industry, income, and location.
The survey revealed that 63% of employees earning $100,000 or more have the option to work remotely, compared to 38% of those earning $50,000 to $100,000 and only 32% of those earning less than $50,000. Similarly, individuals with higher education are more likely to have the opportunity for hybrid or remote work, with 59% of college graduates and 41% of non-graduates reporting such flexibility.
There is evidence suggesting that well-paid senior employees are ensuring remote work options remain available to them. Contrary to popular belief, many bosses desire the flexibility of remote work as much as their employees. However, this trend diminishes in rural areas, where only 32% of employees can work remotely, in comparison to 48% of city dwellers and 55% of suburbanites.
Despite the lingering impact of the pandemic on workforce behavior, there is still widespread interest in remote work opportunities that surged in 2020. However, remote work comes at a cost, as employees working remotely were 35% more likely to face layoffs compared to their hybrid or fully in-office counterparts.
Additionally, the gap between white-collar and blue-collar workers is widening. While white-collar professionals have more opportunities for remote work, blue-collar workers have less flexibility and face a greater risk of job instability. This divide is likely to persist, further accentuating the disparities between different sectors of the workforce.