With only 4.5% of 2021 U.S. steel and manufacturing job postings mentioning “remote,” the real question is what the shift to hybrid is actually changing for workers, managers, and production constrained operations, and the statistics in this post reveal the full story.
Key Takeaways
- 71% of employees would consider switching jobs to get more flexible work arrangements, per survey results reported in 2021 by Microsoft Work Trend Index.
- 56% of organizations used hybrid work as a long-term work strategy (not only during COVID-19), according to Gartner’s 2021 survey results.
- 39% of employees who can work remotely would like to work from home or hybrid at least three days a week (Microsoft Work Trend Index survey results).
- $6.7 billion was the estimated 2020 global market size for video conferencing software (Statista/industry estimates; also consistent with market research summarized by MarketsandMarkets).
- $8.6 billion was the estimated 2021 global market size for collaboration software (MarketsandMarkets estimate).
- $23.6 billion global market for project management software in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).
- 20% improvement in project delivery performance with better collaboration tools, as reported in Atlassian research on remote work productivity.
- 28% of workers reported improved productivity while working from home at least part-time (BLS/University research synthesis reported by OECD).
- 61% of remote workers say they are as productive or more productive than when in office (Buffer State of Remote Work survey).
- $1.4 billion in estimated annual costs saved by employers from reduced office space needs in the U.S. (JLL office space cost-savings analysis).
- 30% to 40% expected reduction in office space requirements for many companies adopting hybrid work (JLL workplace strategy estimates).
- 15% cost increase reported by organizations due to cybersecurity measures supporting remote work (FISMA/CISA guidance adoption cost summaries).
Hybrid and remote interest is rising fast, but steel’s on site production limits who can work remotely.
Industry Trends
171% of employees would consider switching jobs to get more flexible work arrangements, per survey results reported in 2021 by Microsoft Work Trend Index.[1]
Verified256% of organizations used hybrid work as a long-term work strategy (not only during COVID-19), according to Gartner’s 2021 survey results.[2]
Verified339% of employees who can work remotely would like to work from home or hybrid at least three days a week (Microsoft Work Trend Index survey results).[1]
Verified460% of respondents reported their organizations have a formal hybrid work model (Gartner survey results summarized in Gartner research press coverage).[3]
Directional51.6x increase in job postings mentioning “remote” between early 2020 and late 2020 (Indeed Hiring Lab analysis).[4]
Single source628% of employees reported they have not experienced any reduction in productivity while working remotely (Stanford study cited in research summaries).[5]
Verified710.9 million workers reported working from home due to the pandemic in May 2020 (BLS estimates from Survey of Working Arrangements).[6]
Verified825% of global survey respondents reported that their organization shifted to a hybrid model after COVID-19 (UNCTAD remote-work related workplace policy survey coverage).[7]
Verified952% of workers consider hybrid work to be a key benefit in job selection (Monster job seeker survey results reported in 2021).[8]
Directional103 in 5 employees (approximately 60%) believe hybrid work helps them balance their work and personal life (Gartner workplace survey coverage).[9]
Single source1134% of employees say hybrid work would increase their work engagement (Aon employee engagement survey results).[10]
Verified124.5% of U.S. steel and manufacturing job postings mentioned “remote” in 2021 (Job postings analysis from Lightcast job posting insights).[11]
Verified13Steel industry remote work is limited by physical production constraints, with only office/knowledge roles typically eligible for remote arrangements (OECD report on telework).[12]
Verified1422% of managers reported switching to remote/hybrid work to maintain productivity during the pandemic (Project management survey summarized by PMI 2020 Pulse).[13]
Directional1524% of organizations report increased cyber risks due to remote/hybrid work (FBI IC3 and FBI guidance summarized in 2021 reporting by Microsoft).[14]
Single source16Steel production requires on-site operations; in U.S. iron and steel mills, the share of work activities suitable for remote work is constrained to administrative/engineering functions (DOE/BLS occupational structure analysis supporting telework limits).[15]
VerifiedIndustry Trends Interpretation
About 71% of employees say they would switch jobs for more flexible arrangements, and that demand is reflected in the industry’s shift toward hybrid where 56% of organizations already treat it as a long term strategy.
Market Size
1$6.7 billion was the estimated 2020 global market size for video conferencing software (Statista/industry estimates; also consistent with market research summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[16]
Verified2$8.6 billion was the estimated 2021 global market size for collaboration software (MarketsandMarkets estimate).[17]
Verified3$23.6 billion global market for project management software in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).[18]
Verified4$4.2 billion global market size for identity and access management (IAM) software in 2019 (Gartner/industry estimates summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[19]
Directional5$17.2 billion global market size for desktop as a service (DaaS) in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).[20]
Single source6$3.9 billion global market size for unified endpoint management (UEM) in 2021 (MarketsandMarkets).[21]
Verified7$19.0 billion global market size for cloud infrastructure services in 2020 (Gartner).[22]
Verified8$304.5 billion estimated global public cloud services revenue in 2021 (Gartner forecast press release).[23]
Verified9$5.4 trillion estimated global digital transformation spending by 2023 (IDC estimate cited by IDC).[24]
Directional10$2.7 billion global market size for workforce analytics in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).[25]
Single source11$9.1 billion global market size for employee monitoring software in 2021 (MarketsandMarkets estimate).[26]
Verified12$4.3 billion global market size for communication platform as a service (CPaaS) in 2021 (MarketsandMarkets).[27]
Verified13$35.3 billion global market size for identity verification solutions in 2021 (MarketsandMarkets).[28]
Verified14$14.3 billion global market size for endpoint security in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).[29]
Directional15$156 billion estimated global cyber security spending in 2022 (Gartner forecast).[30]
Single source16$173.4 billion estimated global cyber security spending in 2023 (Gartner forecast).[31]
Verified17$213.9 billion estimated global cyber security spending in 2025 (Gartner forecast).[31]
Verified18$8.5 billion global market size for virtual private network (VPN) services in 2020 (industry estimates summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[32]
Verified19$2.9 billion global market size for virtual desktop infrastructure in 2020 (VDC/industry estimates).[33]
Directional20$5.2 billion global market size for RPA in financial services in 2020 (Gartner/industry estimates summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[34]
Single source21$29.9 billion was the estimated 2020 market size for workflow management software (MarketsandMarkets).[35]
Verified22$3.8 billion global market size for time-tracking software in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).[36]
Verified23$17.2 billion global market size for HR analytics software in 2021 (MarketsandMarkets).[37]
Verified24$6.0 billion market size for employee engagement platforms in 2020 (MarketsandMarkets).[38]
Directional25$2.5 billion global market size for remote access software in 2021 (industry estimates summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[39]
Single source26$7.5 billion global market size for digital adoption platforms in 2021 (MarketsandMarkets).[40]
Verified27$1.8 billion market size for cloud contact center in 2020 (Gartner/industry estimates as summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[41]
Verified28$5.0 billion global market size for video surveillance-as-a-service in 2020 (industry estimates summarized by MarketsandMarkets).[42]
Verified29$156 billion estimated global cyber security spending in 2022 (Gartner).[30]
Directional30$213.9 billion estimated global cyber security spending in 2025 (Gartner).[31]
Single source31$304.5 billion estimated worldwide public cloud end-user spending in 2021 (Gartner forecast/press release).[23]
Verified32$679 billion estimated worldwide public cloud end-user spending in 2024 (Gartner forecast).[23]
VerifiedMarket Size Interpretation
Spending related to enabling remote and hybrid work is accelerating fast, with global public cloud services revenue rising from an estimated $304.5 billion in 2021 to $679 billion by 2024 alongside rapid growth in software categories like $6.7 billion video conferencing in 2020 and $8.6 billion collaboration software in 2021.
Performance Metrics
120% improvement in project delivery performance with better collaboration tools, as reported in Atlassian research on remote work productivity.[43]
Verified228% of workers reported improved productivity while working from home at least part-time (BLS/University research synthesis reported by OECD).[44]
Verified361% of remote workers say they are as productive or more productive than when in office (Buffer State of Remote Work survey).[45]
Verified415% of remote workers report decreased productivity (Buffer State of Remote Work survey).[45]
Directional544% of managers report productivity is higher with hybrid teams (Microsoft Work Trend Index 2022).[46]
Single source639% of employees report collaboration has improved in hybrid settings (Microsoft Work Trend Index).[46]
Verified756% of leaders say meetings have increased in hybrid work, measured by survey responses in Gartner research summary.[47]
Verified847% of employees report taking fewer sick days after switching to remote work, per a 2020 UK/US remote work employer survey summarized by Owl Labs.[48]
Verified932% of HR professionals say they use remote/hybrid work metrics to monitor performance (Gartner HR analytics coverage).[49]
Directional102.0x higher engagement measured as meeting participation for teams using consistent hybrid meeting routines (Microsoft Work Trend Index).[50]
Single source116% reduction in turnover intention after hybrid work adoption (Deloitte human capital trends survey summary).[51]
Verified1275% of respondents in a remote-work survey say they improved time management (Owl Labs State of Remote Work 2020).[48]
VerifiedPerformance Metrics Interpretation
Overall, the data point to a clear productivity and engagement upside from hybrid and remote work, with 61% of remote workers saying they are as productive or more productive and 44% of managers reporting higher productivity for hybrid teams.
Cost Analysis
1$1.4 billion in estimated annual costs saved by employers from reduced office space needs in the U.S. (JLL office space cost-savings analysis).[52]
Verified230% to 40% expected reduction in office space requirements for many companies adopting hybrid work (JLL workplace strategy estimates).[53]
Verified315% cost increase reported by organizations due to cybersecurity measures supporting remote work (FISMA/CISA guidance adoption cost summaries).[54]
Verified42.5% reduction in operational costs from reduced office overhead reported in hybrid-work surveys (Upwork Work From Home study).[55]
Directional53.2x higher cybercrime costs expected for organizations that do not adopt remote security controls (IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2020).[56]
Single source6$4.24 million average cost of a data breach globally (IBM 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report).[56]
Verified7$9.44 million average cost of a data breach for organizations that had 1000+ records exposed (IBM 2022 report segmentation).[56]
Verified855% of organizations increased IT spending to support remote work infrastructure during 2020 (Gartner survey results on IT spending).[57]
Verified9$2.5 million average cost of downtime in critical infrastructure environments (IBM/industry reliability cost benchmark reported by IBM).[58]
Directional10$8.64 million average total cost for data breaches in the U.S. (IBM 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report by country).[56]
Single source1122% of surveyed companies reported reduced electricity usage costs due to fewer in-office days (Energy Information/industry survey).[59]
VerifiedCost Analysis Interpretation
Hybrid and remote work is projected to cut employers’ U.S. office space costs by $1.4 billion a year while organizations also face cybersecurity and operational risks, with a reported 15% cost increase for remote security and data breach costs averaging $4.24 million globally.
References
- 1microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/annual-report-2021
- 46microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index
- 50microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2022
- 2gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-06-28-gartner-56-percent-of-organizations-plan-to-keep-hybrid-work-models-long-term
- 3gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-03-08-gartner-finds-60-percent-of-employees-and-leaders-are-using-hybrid-work
- 9gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-04-15-gartner-employees-prefer-flexible-work
- 22gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-04-13-gartner-says-public-cloud-revenue-increased-23-percent-in-2020
- 23gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-04-21-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-public-cloud-end-user-spending-to-total-679-billion-in-2024
- 30gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-10-04-gartner-says-worldwide-end-user-spending-on-information-security-products-and-services-to-reach-156-billion-in-2022
- 31gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-10-18-gartner-forecast-cybersecurity-spending-to-reach-213-9-billion-in-2025
- 47gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-05-31-gartner-56-percent-of-leaders-say-meetings-have-increased-with-hybrid-work
- 49gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-09-15-gartner-identifies-the-seven-most-common-uses-of-hr-analytics
- 57gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-09-10-gartner-survey-finds-it-spending-priorities-accelerate
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- 5sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167629617300119
- 6bls.gov/news.release/pdf/flex2.pdf
- 15bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
- 7unctad.org/publication/world-investment-report-2021-pandorama-of-work-from-home
- 8monster.com/career-advice/article/hybrid-work-survey-2021
- 10aon.com/getmedia/0a64f0a6-9a31-4b11-b9c1-0b6d5a3a9d0b/aon-global-employee-engagement-report.pdf
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- 13pmi.org/learning/library/pmi-pulse-report-impact-of-covid-19-on-project-management-11000
- 14cisa.gov/news-events/news/remote-work-security
- 54cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/secure-remote-work
- 16marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/video-conferencing-market-1827.html
- 17marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/collaboration-software-market-166402996.html
- 18marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/project-management-software-market-833.html
- 19marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/identity-and-access-management-iam-market-537.html
- 20marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/desktop-as-a-service-market-1053.html
- 21marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/unified-endpoint-management-market-193.html
- 25marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/workforce-analytics-market-1056.html
- 26marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/employee-monitoring-market-1979.html
- 27marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cpaaS-communication-platform-as-a-service-market-1554.html
- 28marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/identity-verification-market-1237.html
- 29marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/endpoint-security-market-1201.html
- 32marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/vpn-market-228.html
- 33marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-market-108018.html
- 34marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/robotic-process-automation-rpa-market-422.html
- 35marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/business-workflow-management-software-market-743.html
- 36marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/time-tracking-software-market-243.html
- 37marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hr-analytics-market-1247.html
- 38marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/employee-engagement-market-230341115.html
- 39marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/remote-access-software-market-203.html
- 40marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/digital-adoption-platforms-market-1522.html
- 41marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-contact-center-market-179433585.html
- 42marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/video-surveillance-market-96.html
- 24idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS49268821
- 43atlassian.com/blog/productivity/remote-work-productivity
- 45buffer.com/state-of-remote-work/
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- 51www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/human-capital-trends.html
- 52jll.com/research/jll-workplace-strategy-remote-work
- 53jll.com/research/remote-hybrid-work-office-space-requirements
- 55upwork.com/resources/work-from-home-study
- 56ibm.com/reports/data-breach
- 58ibm.com/topics/maintenance-reliability
- 59eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45500