03-19-2024
As we all remember, the world changed in March 2020. Remote work became the norm for some office jobs. Since then, employers and employees have been negotiating where work takes place. The New York Times looked at where we are working four years later using data from the Census Bureau.
Twenty percent of workers work either hybrid or fully remote schedules. These workers tend to have college degrees and are white or Asian. Most American employees do not hold a college degree, and 80% of employees work entirely in person. The number of college-educated workers with hybrid or remote schedules far outweighs the number of those without a college education working those schedules. This disparity also played out during the pandemic because lower-income workers (typically lacking college degrees) had to work in person, with higher risks to their health.
Racial disparities come out in the division of work. White workers represent the bulk of employees working remotely or hybrid. Hispanic and Black employees make up just 20% of the remote/hybrid workforce — they hold more jobs in food service, construction, retail, health care, and other like jobs. Gen Z works from home less than other generations. Some of that may be attributed to Gen Z holding a smaller number of college degrees. Younger workers also want in person work because it provides more socialization, mentorship, and interaction with supervisors. Along gender lines, women have higher rates of remote work, likely because more women have college degrees, and white-collar jobs offer more flexibility. Also, non-college-educated women are more likely to work in support roles that allow some flexibility. Parents with young children are more likely to work remotely, with mothers using that option more than fathers. Lastly, disabled workers have really benefited from fully remote work when available. They are 22% more likely to work entirely remotely.