What Is the Future Shape of Work?

The study recently released by Adzuna, the smarter job search engine, unveiled insights into the trajectories of hybrid and remote work. The data shows that the proportion of new jobs posted for both hybrid and in-office positions is gradually increasing, although remote work positions are still dominating advertised vacancies.

The proportion of advertised roles specifying “office-based” increased to 4.2% by July 2023 with 318,829 advertised vacancies compared to 3.6% in July 2022 with 295,060 advertised vacancies. This resurgence indicates some employers are trying to return to normalcy and requiring employees and new hires to be in-person on a regular basis. Simultaneously, the proportion of advertised hybrid roles has experienced a similar growth rate, reaching 3.7% in ’23 with 281,766 vacancies compared to 3% in ’22 with 247,617 vacancies. This rise in hybrid roles aligns with the increased interest employees have in flexible work arrangements, and shows employers want to offer both remote and on-site work options in order to attract and retain talent.

Remote Work Is Still Popular, but Advertised Vacancies Are Falling

The data has previously shown a steady increase in remote work while office-based positions stayed relatively steady. However, the proportion of advertised remote roles saw a decline to 9.2% by July ’23 from 14.5% a year ago. Vacancies for remote roles started noticeably dwindling in April ’23 and have continued to fall since. While remote work remains a viable and popular option for employers, with 701,194 roles available, it appears companies are adjusting their strategies and transitioning to more office-based or hybrid work arrangements compared to last year — as the proportion of positions specifying they are office-based and hybrid is mounting, while the proportion of positions specifying they are remote jobs is shrinking.

Workers making six figures are more likely to find remote roles during their job search, with close to 10% of these positions labeled as remote and only 3% being office-based roles on average. These six-figure earners are also less likely to be affected by the return-to-office mandates. Year over year, the proportion of office-based vacancies among this income group slipped -1.3% from 4.9% in July ’22. By comparison, junior workers who earn less than $40,000 a year have less flexibility. The proportion of office-based vacancies increased to 3.6% in July ’23 from 2.1% a year ago, while advertised remote roles slid from 4.4% to 3% within a year.

The return-to-office battle has been ongoing. As businesses navigate this transformative period, it is evident that a true blend of office-based, hybrid and remote work options will shape the future of work, accommodating the diverse needs and preferences of the modern workforce. The data indicates that the chatter of the return-to-the-office mandate rings true. Nevertheless, the numbers show that remote work positions are still dominating job ads, with more than twice as many adverts labeled as remote rather than office-based roles. The shifts in the way we work are unprecedented, and the data suggests we are heading for a future where remote work and the office converge — even for traditionally deskless workers like those in education and healthcare. Embracing a hybrid model, professionals will bask in the best of both worlds, capitalizing on the flexibility of remote work while cherishing the camaraderie and innovation nurtured by in-person interactions at the office and onsite.

Work Models by Sector

Industry sectors once confined to traditional office spaces and only knowing how to work in-person have experienced a whole new way of working over the past few years with remote work. From tech giants to healthcare pioneers, an expanding array of industries have embraced the virtual and “work-from-anywhere” models, reshaping the workplace landscape. But as employers continue to shift their plans and working policies in order to bring more employees back into the office, jobseekers will become even more particular when it comes to searching for jobs that offer work models that fit their current priorities and needs.

Jobseekers who want jobs that still allow them to work remotely should search for opportunities in IT (159,572 job ads advertising remote roles), Healthcare & Nursing (74,807 job ads), Teaching (68,394 job ads), Engineering (66,673 job ads), and Accounting & Finance (55,629 job ads). Healthcare roles are mostly known to be in-person, but this year has seen a rising uptick in virtual nursing vacancies and telehealth roles focused on mental health such as therapists, psychologists, etc.

For those who are adamant about being back in the office on a more frequent and regular basis, they can look for work in Healthcare & Nursing (56,434 job ads advertising office-based roles), Engineering (54,716 job ads), IT (50,658 job ads), Trade & Construction (15,469 job ads), and Scientific & Q+A (14,632 job ads). If having the best of both working arrangements is a leading factor, jobseekers should focus their job search in sectors related to IT (76,076 job ads advertising hybrid roles), Engineering (47,688 job ads) and Accounting & Finance (42,206 job ads). Despite the shifts in the way we work, anyone who wants to work from home should still avoid roles in Charity & Volunteering (61 job ads), Domestic Help & Cleaning (68 job ads), and Travel (137 job ads).

James Neave is head of data science at job search engine Adzuna, the straight-shooting job search engine that helps job seekers zero in on the right role.