Although many experts predicted that 2024 would see a stabilization in the return to offices, after a 2023 dominated by the rejection of teleworking by many managers, the in-person return to companies continues to grow this year. And this trend is very visible in Europe.
Only 4.7% of offers on Linkedin in October were for teleworking
According to a study recent, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), only 4.7% of job offers posted on LinkedIn in October 2024 were for fully remote positions, representing a drop of 21% compared to the same period last year.
On the other hand, offers for hybrid work constituted less than a third (31.6%) of publications, a decrease of 6% compared to 2023. This reduction reflects the retreat of many European companies in remote work promises made during the pandemic of COVID-19.
Despite the drop in teleworking offers, this model continues to be a decisive factor in attracting the best professionals. Several studies indicate that many companies lost their most talented workers when they were forced to return to the office.
While only one in 20 LinkedIn openings in October were for remote positions, these represented 13.1% of total applications.
It is clear that companies that offer flexibility are those that are able to attract the best talent.
Said Josh Graff, executive director of LinkedIn for EMEA and Latin America (LATAM).
Workers are losing power of choice
During the pandemic, we saw the emergence of phenomena such as the Great Layoff and the so-called "silent layoff", where workers prioritized flexibility and well-being over more traditional working conditions. However, these trends began to dissipate as companies resumed large-scale layoffs.
Experts are now warning that workers who keep their jobs are finding that the freedoms gained during the pandemic are disappearing.
Many business leaders support that innovation is hampered by teleworking. Emmanuel Frenehard, chief digital officer at Sanofi - one of the first major companies to require workers to be in the office at least three times a week - recently stated that "serendipity" is essential for innovation:
When you work from home, every moment of the day is scheduled, because that's how my calendar works. There aren't those moments of 'Hey, have you thought about this?' How many great inventions were planned? How many landmark moments of innovation were scheduled?
There is a growing awareness that employers and workers need to strike a balance between flexibility and in-person collaboration.
We continue to live in a world where employer and professional expectations are misaligned. However, many organizations maintain a certain level of flexibility.
Said Daniel Shapero, director of operations at LinkedIn.
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Source: pplware.sapo.pt
