The amount of workers who report quitting a position because it just isn't flexible enough has practically doubled over the last three years, moving from 17 percent in 2014 to 32 percent in 2017. And, as a LinkedIn study released earlier revealed, many emerging jobs are favoring flexibility as well as high location mobility.
Why is flexibility emerging as a cultural value now, and what's the impact? Happiness, for one thing, a recent survey from Leadership IQ has highlighted.
14 Percent More Love Their Jobs
Over 14,000 online respondents to a test from the company have offered the data that proves this point, as the company explained in an article on Forbes:
“First, we’ve learned that only 24 percent of people who work in an office say they love their jobs. But 38 percent of mobile workers and a whopping 45 percent of telecommuting workers love their jobs! So if you hire the right people to work remotely, you can get employees that are far more engaged than their office-bound peers.”
It's important to note that remote work definitely isn't for everyone: Some people simply prefer the structure of a nine-to-five and the sharp distinction between home life and a work environment that it provides. However, as the percentage points above indicate, those who prefer a remote work option are a lot more excited about the job that comes with it. Employers looking for a committed team will find it about twice as easy to come across if they go for a remote one.
And, the above article continues to explain, employers hoping to hire a smart remote team should opt for two interview questions in particular to highlight values essential to a strong remote worker: “Could you tell me about a time you got tough feedback from a boss?” and “Could you tell me about a time you made an important decision without the help of a supervisor or boss?” The abilities to convert criticism into personal improvement and to make independent decisions are particularly suited to someone working remotely, and point to the sort of person who would fall into that 38 or 45 percent of remote workers who love their jobs.
Read more about remote work on TechCo
