Hybrid work arrangements have prevailed over traditional office settings as the mode of choice for employers and employees. However, certain groups show up in the office more often than others.
The fact that you work from home or in an empty office these days is something you can either thank or blame on millennials.
COVID-19: Shift to Remote Work
The transition to remote work has accelerated due to COVID-19. Knowledge workers benefit from being able to work from home or another location because it increases labor force participation and cuts down on wasted time spent traveling. It closes the gender gap by allowing partners or single parents responsible for domestic care to work.
It's no secret that many people prefer working remotely; according to a McKinsey & Company study, 87% of workers who were given the option accepted it. According to the study, a flexible work environment is among the top three factors motivating people to seek new jobs.
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Who are Millennials?
According to several datasets, millennials are the generation that prefers to work from home the most, according to Stanford economist and work-from-home expert Nick Bloom, who spoke with Business Insider. The Stanford economist has noticed a striking pattern in several datasets: millennials disproportionately prefer working from home. Millennials in their 20s typically state that they would like to work three or four days a week in the office, according to Bloom. This tendency is explained by their desire to interact with people, their willingness to be mentored, and, in certain situations, their living situation may consist of a minor, shared apartment. The information emphasizes how millennials' particular preferences and concerns have shaped the changing nature of remote work.
The Remote Transition Curve
According to Bloom's research alongside José Barrero and Steven Davis, work-from-home intensity is highest among people in their 30s and early 40s.
Those in their 30s and early 40s are the main force behind the strong push for remote work. This age group has the highest intensity of work-from-home, as evidenced by their larger houses, younger children, and busy lives outside of work.
People with kids are also more likely to work remotely than people who don't. Many millennials, particularly those with small children, underwent significant lifestyle changes during the pandemic.
Workers between the ages of 30 and 39, particularly those between 30 and 34, experienced a notable increase in their commute distance. For this age group, the commute to work increased by more than double between 2018 and 2019 compared to 2022 and 2023.
Indeed, working remotely has changed the course of some people's lives. Many employees have admitted to Insider that they would sooner resign from their positions than go back to work. Millennials may be responsible for the continued availability of remote work for those who work remotely full-time or are competing for a decreasing number of remote positions.
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