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07.11.2013 Research Findings

Half Of Us Work Remotely—When Will The Rest Catch Up?

By Regus Global Economic Indicator
Half Of Us Work Remotely—When Will The Rest Catch Up?
07.11.2013 LISTEN

Remote working is here to stay, building productivity, reducing operating costs

and increasing staff retention.

While the chief executive of a global internet company may recently have banned company employees from home working, new research by global workplace provider Regus shows that half the world's workforce is now productively enjoying flexible working.

The 2013 Regus Global Economic Indicator reveals that professionals who are chained to the office desk will soon be the minority. Regus' research, canvassing over 26,000 business managers across 90 countries, found that 48 per cent now work remotely for at least half their working week. In Ghana, just over a third of executives work flexibly for at least half the week (36 per cent).


Some chief executives may worry about motivating and managing staff at a distance. But in the Regus survey, 67 per cent of Ghana respondents (55 per cent globally) said they believed effective management of remote workers was perfectly achievable, and asignificant portion of businesses are bringing increasing rigour to managing their remote staff.

Commenting on the research, Regus Vice President for Africa Joanne Bushell says: “Flexible working is a winner for all concerned when the management team takes the lead. The business people we speak with tell us that trust and freedom play a key role in remote management and, once these are in place, the benefits are clear for all to see: greater productivity, improved staff retention and lower operating costs.”

Regus' survey shows that 44 per cent of companies in Ghana (slightly more than the 37 per cent global figure) use specific efficiency-monitoring reporting systems, while 56 per cent of remote managers use video calls to communicate with their teams (43 per cent globally).

US health insurer Aetna, a thought leader in the field, has added training courses to the mix so remote workers and their managers can be brought up to speed on effective flexible working methods. Of Aetna's 35,000 employees, 14,500 do not have a desk.


The flexible work experience can have a particular value for younger workers. Sixty-seven per cent of respondents in Ghana believe that junior employees become more responsible through remote working.

In addition, there is a perception that flexible working is shaping a new kind of interaction between line managers and their team members. Thirty-three per cent of respondents think that remote management helps maintain a more professional relationship.


Key findings in Ghana and West Africa:
• 36% work remotely for half the week or more

• 67% say that seamless remote management is an achievable goal, but only if managers undergo special training

• 67% consider trust an important issue

• 44% of companies use reporting systems to monitor mobile employee efficiency

• 56% use video communication between managers and employees

• 33% believe remote management helps maintain a more professional relationship

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REMOTE WORKINGREMOTE WORKING

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