The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on American workplaces, reshaping the priorities of our employees where we work, how we do our jobs. According to Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor's lead economist, “Whether it's remote or hybrid options, there's more flexibility in today's workplaces.”
One rare example is that remote work has become the norm. When the pandemic hit in 2020, the office quickly allowed employees to work from home, changing the way businesses operate forever. But not everyone is who this shift should be permanent. Adam Benowitz, CEO and Founder of VOX Finance, said, “I think everyone will benefit from working face to face, working together and working together. Decision making is going to be faster. Friendships will be made. Benowitz isn't just his belief that over the next five years, businesses will return to their pre-pandemic working models. Big companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, and others have already requested their employees to return to the office. Benowitz said, “People generally recognize that people need to be together. And we're going to come back to it and come back to it. …I think you'll see something like a four-day week with a little fullkist.”
But not everyone agrees with this perspective. Zhao believes remote work will remain here, saying, “While there may be some large companies making changes, it's an important reminder that many Americans are employed in small and medium-sized businesses, and there are a lot of experiments from small and medium-sized businesses, and that they can benefit a lot from being able to hire all over the country.”
What both parties agree is that the future of work is likely to be a hybrid. He experienced a “big resignation” in 2021 and 2022. Then we left and the office began prioritizing overall happiness. And both employees and employers focus on work-life balance. As Zhao states, “There is certainly more awareness of the power and potential of flexibility in the workplace. It means flexibility of a few hours or so, allowing workers to jump out of the office early if they need to pick up their children.”
This change is particularly beneficial for young Americans. In 2024, 84% of millennials and 74% of Gen Z expressed their desire for more remote working options. Still, there are some people, like Benowitz, who believe that working in an office is even more valuable. “It's the generation that needs them most, the generation that's trying to learn. If we learn new skills, learn who they are and we don't bring them to the office, I think we're cheating on those younger generations.
Hybrid schedules offer many benefits, such as eliminating commutes, reducing stress, and providing more time at home. Businesses also benefit from reducing their office space and taking advantage of a wider talent pool.
