Remote work ads on the decline, study finds

As the post-pandemic workplace shakeout continues, a shift in attitudes is once again taking hold. A new study from job search engine Adzuna, shows that the proportion of advertised remote roles saw a decline to 9.2% by July 2023 from 14.5% a year ago. Vacancies for remote roles started dropping in April 2023 and have continued to fall since.

While remote work remains a viable and popular option for employers, with 701,194 roles available, it appears companies are adjusting their strategies and transitioning to more office-based or hybrid work arrangements compared to last year.

“The return to office battle has been ongoing,” says James Neave, head of data science at Adzuna.

“As businesses navigate this transformative period, it is evident that a true blend of office-based, hybrid, and remote work options will shape the future of work, accommodating the diverse needs and preferences of the modern workforce. The data indicates that the chatter of the return to the office mandate rings true. Nevertheless, the numbers show that remote work positions are still dominating job ads, with over twice as many adverts labeled as remote rather than office-based roles.”

The proportion of advertised roles specifying “office-based” increased to 4.2% by July 2023 with 318,829 advertised vacancies compared to 3.6% in July 2022 with 295,060 advertised vacancies. This resurgence indicates some employers are trying to return to normalcy and requiring employees and new hires to be in-person on a regular basis.

At the same time, the proportion of advertised hybrid roles has experienced a similar growth rate, reaching 3.7% in 2023 with 281,766 vacancies compared to 3% in 2022 with 247,617 vacancies. This rise in hybrid roles aligns with the increased interest employees have in flexible work arrangements, and shows employers want to offer both remote and on-site work options in order to attract and retain talent.

“The shifts in the way we work are unprecedented, and the data suggests we are heading for a future where remote work and the office converge – even for traditionally deskless workers like those in education and health care,” adds Neave.

Related: RTO creep? Companies kicking return-to-office mandates up a notch

“Embracing a hybrid model, professionals will bask in the best of both worlds, capitalizing on the flexibility of remote work while cherishing the camaraderie and innovation nurtured by in-person interactions at the office and onsite.”

Some of the jobs that have the most ads for remote work include: IT, health care and nursing, teaching, engineering, and accounting.