The U.S. Industries Where Workers Feel Remote Working Is Most Effective [Infographic]

Remote working has become the new norm for countless Americans as COVID-19 continues to cause massive disruption across the United States. Working from home certainly has huge advantages like time saved due to no commuting, no more paying for gas, fewer office distractions, familial flexibility and (arguably) better coffee. There are a number of downsides too of course, such as a lack of social interaction, possible familial distractions and no face-to-face meetings. Technological applications such as Zoom are proving a reliable substitute for meetings, however and many employers are reporting higher levels of motivation and productivity. A recent LinkedIn analysis gauged current confidence levels in remote working among U.S. professionals amid the ongoing pandemic, finding that the situation is generally upbeat.

The LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index found that 55% of Americans think their industry can be effective when its workforce does its job remotely. Unsurprisingly, support for working from home is highest in digital occupations that require less person-to-person contact. 85% of professionals in software and IT said they can be individually effective working from home while 82% think the entire industry can remain effective. This optimism comes as Twitter
TWTR
announced that its employees will be given the option to work remotely on a permanent basis if they so desire in a move that some observers have called “era-defining”. The same trends are evident in finance where more than 80% think they and their industry can be effective along with media & communications where support stands at 83% for individuals and 76% for the wider industry.

Industries requiring more physical contact understandably tend to have lower levels of support for remote working with a mere 29% of people employed in retail feeling their industry can remain effective. That figure is higher for individuals working in retail, though, at 44%. Recreation and travel is another key sector where attitudes towards remote working aren’t quite as positive with half of those polled saying they can do their job well from home and 37% thinking the industry can remain effective. It remains to be seen whether the new coronavirus working arrangementa are here to stay but things are looking positive for those employed in digital occupations with Twitter’s move a potential sign of things to come.

*Click below to enlarge (charted by Statista)