“Out of Office” – New Korn Ferry Survey Shows Professionals Get More Done Working Virtually
February 20 2020 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
(editor’s note: survey results at bottom of release)
Staying at home may be the best way to get the most done at
work. That is according to a new Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) survey of
professionals regarding working virtually.
The vast majority of respondents (88 percent) say they are more
productive when they work virtually, and 84 percent say they
actually work more when they don’t go into the office.
More than a third (38 percent) say they work virtually full
time, with a third (33 percent) saying they work remotely 1-2 days
per week. The majority (82 percent) say that when they work
remotely, they work from home.
According to the survey, working virtually has become much more
accepted, as 80 percent say their employer has become more
favorable to remote workers in the last two years. Seventy-nine
percent say working virtually does not hinder their career
advancement and 78 percent say their colleagues who go into the
office every day do not resent them for working virtually.
“The virtual work phenomenon is here to stay, and it’s only
going to involve more people over time,” said Jeanne MacDonald,
President of Global RPO Solutions for Korn Ferry. “To be
successful, virtual workers need to show that they can be
productive anywhere, engage with their boss and teams, and enter
the workplace strategically. The more they are seen, the more
successful they will be when working virtually.”
The survey shows there are some drawbacks to working virtually.
The largest percentage of respondents (37 percent) say the biggest
obstacle to remote working is loneliness, followed by
technical/connectivity issues (32 percent).
“With solid access to the right tools and technology, along with
regular interaction with colleagues – such as video conferencing or
occasional in-person meetings – remote workers can and should feel
productive and part of a team,” said MacDonald.
About the survey
The Korn Ferry global survey took place in January 2020 and
garnered 753 responses. (note: due to rounding, responses may not
equal 100 percent).
Survey Responses:
How often do you work
virtually?
Full time
38 percent
3-4 days/week
12 percent
1-2 days/week
33 percent
Almost never
17 percent
Do you feel working virtually hinders
career advancement?
Yes
21 percent
No
79 percent
Are you more or less productive when
working virtually?
More productive
88 percent
Less productive
12 percent
If you work virtually, do you feel like
you work less or more?
Less
16 percent
More
84 percent
If you work virtually, where do you
most often work?
Home
82 percent
Coffee shop
2 percent
Shared space
8 percent
In transit (cars, airports, trains)
7 percent
Has your employer become more or less
favorable to working remotely in the last 2 years?
More favorable
80 percent
Less favorable
20 percent
What’s the biggest obstacle to working
virtually?
Background noise
0 percent
Being interrupted
9 percent
Being asked to do chores
5 percent
Getting distracted
17 percent
Loneliness
37 percent
Technology/connectivity issues
32 percent
How do you connect with your
boss/office if you work virtually?
Regular check-in calls/video
conferencing
53 percent
Planning for periodic facetime in the
office
14 percent
Emails
27 percent
Texting
6 percent
Have you ever pretended you were
working virtually, when actually you were “out having fun” at a
baseball game, beach, golfing, etc?
Yes
11 percent
No
89 percent
Do your non-virtual working colleagues
resent you for working virtually?
Yes
78 percent
No
22 percent
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work
with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and
responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise
them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. And,
we help professionals navigate and advance their careers.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200220005165/en/
Tracy Kurschner 612.309.3957 Tracy.Kurschner@Kornferry.com
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024