Reopening Strategies Recognize Many Will Keep Working Remotely

More businesses are planning to reopen their offices and worksites, but not everyone is returning to work there. As part of a "new normal," many organizations plan to allow sizable numbers of employees to continue working remotely rather than risk seeing them hired away by a more accommodating employer.

A Work from Home Policies and Practices survey by executive compensation firm Pearl Meyer, conducted in February and March with participation from 349 companies, showed that:

• 33 percent of responding companies' total U.S.-based workforces will work remotely post-pandemic.

• More than 80 percent said their organization's shift to remote work during the pandemic had been successful, and nearly 40 percent reported an increase in productivity

Perhaps recognizing an opportunity for cost savings, 36 percent of surveyed organizations have made the decision to reduce the number or size of their offices or facilities.

"We know there's been some level of worker migration" away from their employer's worksite, said Bill Dixon, managing director at Pearl Meyer and lead for the survey. "At this juncture, when companies are allowing—or encouraging—remote work and it is going well, it appears there is some hesitancy to disrupt the talent pool."