The desire for more work freedoms continues to rise, with two-thirds of Brits expressing interest in being a digital nomad for up to 12 months, however, three-quarters are also concerned about career progression, amid fears they will not get the same opportunities as they would in a traditional office setting.
So says the 2022 Future of Work report from recruitment firm Aquent, which quizzed 3,500 marketing, creative, and design professionals to explore what employees want from the workplace now and in the future.
While many companies have moved to remote or hybrid work environments since 2020, Aquent’s survey found an increase in the demand for a certain kind of remote work: the digital nomad lifestyle.
Digital nomads work entirely remotely while travelling to various locations of their choosing, often including international travel for extended periods of time.
This lifestyle is distinct even from a more standard remote work environment due to the transient nature of the desired travel and continues to rise in popularity among workers. One striking survey finding indicates 60% of employees across all levels and ages reported interest in digital nomad work at some point in the next one to three years.
The survey reveals that organisations must not only embrace the digital nomad worker, but also have effective processes, support systems, and policies in place in order to ensure they are hiring and retaining top talent.
It found remote workers’ needs are evolving in surprising ways. For instance, workers ranked unlimited vacation fourth when prioritising the importance of various benefits, indicating that other perks have become more appealing.
While increasing flexibility for remote workers continues to be popular for professionals of all ages, younger professionals are most likely to have concerns about their career progression in this environment.
Aquent’s survey shows 77% of 18- to 24-year-olds expressed concern that remote work will restrict their career progression. This concern decreases with age, with 61% of workers aged 25 to 40, 56% of those aged 41 to 55, and 54% of those 56 or older sharing the same concern.
Aquent UK managing director Aliza Sweiry said: “Employees have made it clear that hybrid and/or remote working is now considered a baseline level of flexibility.
“For employers to remain desirable and able to attract the highest performers, consideration needs to be given around package personalisation, and one area that can give companies a true competitive advantage is by supporting those who want to either be a fully-fledged digital nomad or desire a short stint abroad.
“To do this, these workers will need company guidance and support around visas, core working hours and tax guidance so that they can live their best lives.
But not everyone wants to work in the sun, and for younger workers, we saw they were concerned about having enough face time with colleagues so that they could progress.”
Related stories
FWIW Brits now view WFH as too expensive, AFAIK
Brits shun companies that don’t offer flexible working
Firms axe remote working in favour of the hybrid model
WFH cuts costs and boosts morale; what’s not to like?
UK firms urged to join trial of fully paid, four day week
OMG! WFH CMOs express FOMO from hybrid working
Marketers happy to take pay cut to work from home
