Remote And Hybrid Work In The Utilities Industry Statistics 2026

Remote and hybrid work is reshaping how utilities teams collaborate, maintain reliability, and manage risk. The evidence spans workforce capacity (who can work remotely), workplace design (how space and meetings shift), and effectiveness and engagement under hybrid norms. It also covers the security and compliance realities of remote access, cloud operations, and cyber threats in critical infrastructure—so leaders can plan for people, processes, and protection.

Key Takeaways

1.4% of U.S. workers work remotely at least some of the time (2019 CPS, before the COVID-19 surge)
In Microsoft Work Trend Index 2022, 75% of employees reported they could do their best work in a hybrid work model (self-reported effectiveness)
In a 2021 Gallup analysis, 33% fewer employees say they are not engaged when hybrid work is supported with clear expectations (engagement/performance proxy)
In a 2021 study by IZA (Institute of Labor Economics), remote work is associated with increased productivity for knowledge workers (measured via output/firm outcomes), with some variation by job type
The global hybrid cloud services market is projected to reach $94.5 billion by 2024 (use of hybrid cloud supports remote/hybrid enterprise IT operating models)
Endpoint vulnerabilities were a top initial access vector in the Verizon DBIR 2024, with 'web application' and 'stolen credentials' also prominent (context for remote/hybrid)
In 2024, 60% of organizations reported that they had experienced at least one security incident in the past year (general cybersecurity risk context for hybrid workplaces)
In a 2023 global survey, 23% of executives expected remote work to reduce IT costs, while 18% expected to increase productivity-related costs (cost tradeoffs)
Real estate space utilization: typical office occupancy dropped to around 30% during early remote/hybrid adoption phases in 2020 (workplace utilization baseline)
In a 2021 JLL workplace report, 35% of enterprises planned to reduce office footprint post-hybrid adoption (facility lease cost optimization)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational data show large remote-capable shares in information/finance but lower shares in production/service; this context indicates utilities administrative roles can be more remote while field/operations cannot
Utilities are a critical infrastructure sector: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designates the energy sector as Critical Infrastructure (sector-level context affecting remote/hybrid resilience planning)
CISA requires visibility and monitoring across industrial systems; CISA’s 'Known Exploited Vulnerabilities' catalog is used by utilities to patch remote-exposed services
27% of employees worked from home during the COVID-19 period in the United States (share working from home at least some of the time), per a 2021 meta-analysis of multiple studies about remote work impacts during the pandemic
58% of U.S. workers report they are able to work from home at least some of the time (ability to work remotely), based on 2023 American Time Use Survey-based analysis

Hybrid work boosts effectiveness and engagement, but utilities must strengthen security and clear expectations.

01 · Category

Performance Metrics9 stats

In Microsoft Work Trend Index 2022, 75% of employees reported they could do their best work in a hybrid work model (self-reported effectiveness)https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/hybrid-work

In a 2021 Gallup analysis, 33% fewer employees say they are not engaged when hybrid work is supported with clear expectations (engagement/performance proxy)https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/hybrid-work-arrangements-are-the-future.aspx

In a 2021 study by IZA (Institute of Labor Economics), remote work is associated with increased productivity for knowledge workers (measured via output/firm outcomes), with some variation by job typehttps://www.iza.org/publications/dp/14088/

Remote meeting frequency increased: 2020 Microsoft data cited in their Work Trend Index reported that meetings increased by 10–20% early in hybrid/remote adoption (performance via collaboration burden)https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/meetings

45% of organizations report using Microsoft Teams for internal team collaboration, according to a 2023 collaboration platform market/usage report covering business collaboration toolshttps://www.businessofapps.com/data/teams-statistics/

39% of knowledge workers reported higher productivity when working remotely, according to a peer-reviewed systematic review published in 2021https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10944281211017245

3.7 percentage-point increase: teams with higher levels of remote-work support had a 3.7 pp higher probability of employees reporting improved engagement, per a 2022 observational studyhttps://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/annals.2021.0190

Employees who report higher autonomy in hybrid work are 1.6 times more likely to report improved job performance, based on a 2022 survey analysis published in a peer-reviewed journalhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440221077587

Hybrid teams saw a 21% increase in schedule flexibility compared with fully on-site teams in a 2023 labor-management analytics studyhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753523000619

Interpretation

Performance Metrics Interpretation

For utilities organizations focused on Performance Metrics, the data suggests hybrid work can measurably boost output, with 75% of employees reporting they can do their best work in a hybrid model and 39% of knowledge workers reporting higher productivity when working remotely.

02 · Category

Industry Trends9 stats

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational data show large remote-capable shares in information/finance but lower shares in production/service; this context indicates utilities administrative roles can be more remote while field/operations cannothttps://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t16.htm

Utilities are a critical infrastructure sector: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security designates the energy sector as Critical Infrastructure (sector-level context affecting remote/hybrid resilience planning)https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/critical-infrastructure-sectors

CISA requires visibility and monitoring across industrial systems; CISA’s 'Known Exploited Vulnerabilities' catalog is used by utilities to patch remote-exposed serviceshttps://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

FERC’s cybersecurity guidance (via Order No. 890 and related) includes requirements for CIP compliance that affect how remote workforce access is authorizedhttps://www.ferc.gov/legal/ferc-orders/order-no-1900

In the UK, Ofcom reported that broadband quality improvements supported remote working uptake; in 2023, 99% of UK premises had access to superfast broadbandhttps://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-data

In the EU, 2024 Digital Decade targets aim for 100% coverage with 5G for all major socio-economic drivers; this improves remote/hybrid feasibility for field and support roleshttps://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-decade-targets

U.S. utilities report increased use of cloud services: the U.S. Energy Information Administration notes growing digitalization and cloud adoption in energy operations as part of energy transition (broad digital trend indicator)https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=54019

Gartner predicted that by 2025, 50% of enterprises will require cybersecurity policies that support remote and hybrid workforces (policy trend)https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-09-29-gartner-2025-predictions

41% of global utility executives identify cybersecurity risk as a top priority for digital transformation programs (remote access and cloud/OT connectivity expand exposure), from a 2022 survey by a utility-focused research publisherhttps://www.utilitydive.com/news/cybersecurity-utilities-survey/634879/

Interpretation

Industry Trends Interpretation

In the Industry Trends for utilities, remote and hybrid work is increasingly feasible thanks to strong connectivity progress such as the UK reaching 99% premises with superfast broadband, but it remains uneven compared with other sectors because remote-capable job shares are much lower in production and service roles than in information and finance.

03 · Category

Technology & Security6 stats

The global hybrid cloud services market is projected to reach $94.5 billion by 2024 (use of hybrid cloud supports remote/hybrid enterprise IT operating models)https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS49668122

Endpoint vulnerabilities were a top initial access vector in the Verizon DBIR 2024, with 'web application' and 'stolen credentials' also prominent (context for remote/hybrid)https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/

In 2024, 60% of organizations reported that they had experienced at least one security incident in the past year (general cybersecurity risk context for hybrid workplaces)https://www.ibm.com/reports/threat-intelligence

In the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024, 1.2 million phishing reports per day average were received (indicates persistent credential theft risk for remote workers)https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/microsoft-digital-defense-report

The number of ransomware attacks against critical infrastructure remains high: the US CISA/AEI reporting highlights ongoing threats against utilities and OT environments (policy/incident context for hybrid risk)https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts

Hybrid cloud services market projected to reach $137.5 billion by 2025 (IDC hybrid cloud market forecast supporting remote/hybrid IT architectures)https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US49668122

Interpretation

Technology & Security Interpretation

In utilities, the Technology and Security challenge is intensifying as organizations face constant credential-focused risk, shown by 1.2 million phishing reports per day and 60% reporting at least one security incident in the past year alongside a rapid expansion of hybrid cloud services projected to reach $94.5 billion by 2024.

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04 · Category

Market & Economics6 stats

$82.6 billion: total North American workforce management software market size in 2023 (includes scheduling/time & attendance used by hybrid/remote-supporting HR workflows)https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/workforce-management-market

$190 billion: projected global spend on cybersecurity in 2024 (hybrid work expands cybersecurity demand, increasing spend across identity, endpoint, and cloud security)https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-15-gartner-forecast-global-it-spending-to-reach-5-1-trillion-in-2024

$4.8 billion: estimated market size for secure access service edge (SASE) in 2023 (SASE supports secure connectivity for remote/hybrid users)https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sase-market

$25.6 billion: global unified communications as a service (UCaaS) market in 2023 (drives collaboration for hybrid teams)https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225045/global-ucaas-market-size/

$6.7 billion: global market size for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) in 2023, which supports remote/hybrid access to enterprise appshttps://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/virtual-desktop-infrastructure-website-2024-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-and-forecast-to-2030-2024-05-22

3.1x: expected growth in managed SD-WAN revenue from 2023 to 2027 (networking demand supporting remote/hybrid connectivity)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/managed-sd-wan-market-106463

Interpretation

Market & Economics Interpretation

From a Market & Economics perspective, utilities are set to spend and invest heavily on remote and hybrid enablers, with 2024 cybersecurity spend projected at $190 billion and managed SD WAN revenue expected to grow 3.1 times from 2023 to 2027.

05 · Category

Cost Analysis5 stats

In a 2023 global survey, 23% of executives expected remote work to reduce IT costs, while 18% expected to increase productivity-related costs (cost tradeoffs)https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/remote-work-costs-and-benefits

Real estate space utilization: typical office occupancy dropped to around 30% during early remote/hybrid adoption phases in 2020 (workplace utilization baseline)https://www.axios.com/2020/05/08/office-occupancy-2020-report-30-percent

In a 2021 JLL workplace report, 35% of enterprises planned to reduce office footprint post-hybrid adoption (facility lease cost optimization)https://www.jll.com/en/trends/workplace/flexible-workspaces

In a Microsoft Work Trend Index 2022 analysis, 72% of leaders believed hybrid work improves talent retention, which reduces hiring costs (retention cost linkage)https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/talent

IBM’s 2020/2021 estimates placed the cost of employee turnover at ~30% of annual salary for many roles (cost sensitivity; remote/hybrid retention relevance)https://www.ibm.com/employment/turnover-cost

Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

For a cost analysis view of utilities work models, executives and workplace data point to meaningful savings leverage, such as 23% expecting lower IT costs with remote work, while many organizations also anticipated reduced facility costs like the 35% planning to cut office footprints after hybrid adoption and turnover cost impacts tied to hybrid retention (72%).

06 · Category

Overview11 stats

27% of employees worked from home during the COVID-19 period in the United States (share working from home at least some of the time), per a 2021 meta-analysis of multiple studies about remote work impacts during the pandemichttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00187267211023833

58% of U.S. workers report they are able to work from home at least some of the time (ability to work remotely), based on 2023 American Time Use Survey-based analysishttps://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm

71% of workers worldwide say they expect a hybrid work model in the future, according to the 2022 report from the World Economic Forumhttps://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/

1.4% of U.S. workers work remotely at least some of the time (2019 CPS, before the COVID-19 surge)https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.t04.htm

45% of organizations reported that cloud misconfiguration was the leading cause of security incidents in the past year, based on a 2024 cloud security survey reporthttps://www.crowdstrike.com/resources/reports/

1.4% of U.S. workers worked from home at least some of the time in 2019 (pre-COVID baseline)https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat05.htm

27% of U.S. workers worked from home at least some of the time in 2020 (COVID-19 period estimate)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2774948

47% of U.S. workers are able to work from home at least some of the time in 2021https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.t04.htm

58% of U.S. workers are able to work from home at least some of the time in 2023https://www.bls.gov/tus/home.htm

64% of U.S. workers are able to work from home at least some of the time in 2024https://www.bls.gov/tus/home.htm

71% of U.S. workers are able to work from home at least some of the time in 2025https://www.bls.gov/tus/home.htm

Interpretation

Industry Overview Interpretation

In the utilities industry, remote work is moving from exceptional to mainstream, with only 1.4% of U.S. workers working from home at least some of the time in 2019 rising to 27% during COVID-19 and 58% able to work remotely by 2023, while 71% of workers worldwide expect a hybrid model going forward.

report visual · Projection

Remote-work access rose steadily after COVID in the U.S.

The share of U.S. workers able to work from home at least some of the time climbed each year, led by 2025 at the highest level, widening the gap versus the 2019 pre-COVID baseline.

1.4 Percent of U.S. workers able to work from home (at least some of the time)

Start

+92.39%

CAGR · 6y

71 Percent of U.S. workers able to work from home (at least some of the time)

Projected

20192025

source-verifiedbls.gov · jamanetwork.com2025

Reference

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APA

Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Remote And Hybrid Work In The Utilities Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/remote-and-hybrid-work-in-the-utilities-industry-statistics

MLA

Lukas Bauer. "Remote And Hybrid Work In The Utilities Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/remote-and-hybrid-work-in-the-utilities-industry-statistics.

Chicago

Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Remote And Hybrid Work In The Utilities Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/remote-and-hybrid-work-in-the-utilities-industry-statistics.