An overwhelming majority of Canadian HR professionals (86 per cent) believe there will be an increase in the number of employees working remotely in the near future.
But despite the myriad benefits associated with remote working, the biggest roadblock seems to be support from management. Only 33 per cent of respondents said their workplaces are currently considered 'friendly' for the remote-worker.
"The majority of ingredients for a culture of remote working are already in place - wide-spread adoption of technology, high gas prices, environmental concerns regarding commuting and an increasing desire for more work-life balance," said Claude Balthazard, vice-president, regulatory affairs and registrar, Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). "In order to complete this recipe, employers need to step into the kitchen and show their support for a style of work which they would stand to benefit from as well."
Three in ten (29 per cent) of HR professionals said that there will be a significant increase in the number of employees working remotely in the next few years, with a further six in ten (57 per cent) responding that the increase would likely be moderate. Only one per cent believes there would be a decrease in the number of employees working remotely.
Management Concerns
Management is often the barrier to further adoption of this practice. According to the survey, their concerns regarding remote working include:
Employees don't work as hard (64%)
Challenges to work scheduling (57%)
Security of company property (57%)
Loss of control over employees (52%)
A change in team dynamics (49%)
"Forward-looking organizations are developing a code of conduct for remote working, working with employees to set achievable goals and simply trusting in their workers," said Balthazard. "Remote working can be a win-win for both the employee and the employer if concerns are addressed head on."
A More Productive Workforce
Almost half (48 per cent) of HR professional respondents believe that working remotely at least some of the time is linked to an increase in productivity. Not surprisingly, the proportion of respondents who believe that remote working at least some of the time is linked to increased productivity was higher among younger respondents vs. executive level HR professionals (61 vs. 38 per cent).
About the Survey
The survey was conducted in June by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) in partnership with Canadian HR Reporter through an online poll of nearly 800 HR professionals from across Canada. For full survey findings, please go to: www.hrpa.ca/hrthoughtleadership/pages/pulsesurveys.aspx. Commentary on the report can be viewed at: http://www.hrreporter.com/articleview?articleid=10996&headline=more-firms-plan-to-offer-teleworking-over-next-few-years-survey.
About the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)
The Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) is Canada's HR thought leader with more than 19,000 members in 28 chapters across Ontario. It connects its membership to an unmatched range of HR information resources, events, professional development and networking opportunities and annually hosts the world's second largest HR conference. In Ontario, HRPA issues the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation, the national standard for excellence in human resources management and the Senior Human Resources Professional (SHRP) designation, reserved for high-impact HR leaders. www.hrpa.ca
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