Lack of connection with colleagues is top remote work concern

Is going to the office full-time a thing of the past? More than two thirds (67 percent) of US workers surveyed by The Conference Board are willing to work a hybrid schedule (some days remotely, some days in the workplace). Another 20 percent, however, only want to work remotely. The push for remote work may come at a cost, though: 58 percent of respondents cited a lack of connection with colleagues as their top concern about remote work. Others: lack of work-life boundaries, working more hours, lack of visibility that impedes upward mobility, and increased isolation.

“A desire to work remotely doesn’t mitigate legitimate concerns about the downsides of remote work,” said Robin Erickson, PhD, Principal Researcher, Human Capital at The Conference Board. “For example, while women are more likely than men to want to work remotely, they are also more concerned about a lack of boundaries around work/life and working more hours when doing so. As organizations make long-term decisions about a future with remote work, they will need to bear this in mind and continuously monitor employee experience and well-being.”

Read the survey results »