What workers are after when working remotely

The modern workforce has paved the way for new ways of operating. Remote work is one of the major shifts that has now become the norm for many. There are some considerations that make this experience better, however.

“When Remote first started, many organisations did not allow employees to work remotely at all. Working from other countries was completely out of the question. Today, the opposite is true. People are performing every kind of role from every kind of place, proving over and over that the quality of your work is far more important than the location where that work happens,” commented Job van der Voort, co-founder and chief executive of Remote.

One major consideration for remote workers is the quality of internet connection. In fact, according to Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller, fast and free Wi-Fi was the top consideration for travelling workers.

The hotel amenities “wishlist”, as revealed in the survey, was:

1. Free, fast Wi-Fi (73 per cent)
2. Healthy hotel dining options (44 per cent)
3. Free printing facilities (41 per cent)
4. More electric outlets and USB ports (37 per cent)
5. An area to unwind outside of the hotel room (36 per cent)
6. Extra phone chargers and/or mobile charging banks (35 per cent)
7. Larger or better-equipped workspaces in hotel rooms (35 per cent)
8. Same-day or overnight drying cleaning services (25 per cent)
9. Large, well-equipped fitness centres (25 per cent)
10. Onsite co-working space or office (21 per cent)
11. Onsite tech support (19 per cent)
12. Separate meeting rooms (18 per cent)
13. A business concierge to organise and book business meetings, business dining options, and transport to meetings (13 per cent)

There was a decent increase in corporate travel expenses in 2023, rising 27 per cent. Part of this is a surge in popularity, but also increased costs. Australian hotel room rates averaged $250 in 2023 – a 5.8 per cent rise from 2022. In 2024, it’s predicted to increase by another 3 per cent.

Tom Walley, Corporate Traveller’s global managing director, said: “Our survey reveals that business travellers are looking for accommodations that surpass the basics of comfort and dining. There’s a discernible shift towards hotels serving as auxiliary workplaces, a trend fuelled by the growing demand for spaces where guests can focus and work in private.”

“The survey also reveals a strong emphasis on wellness among business travellers, with a significant portion wanting healthier dining options and well-equipped fitness facilities. The evolving expectation underscores the need for hotel offerings that support both relaxation and individual productivity. Hotels that prioritise these amenities are likely to differentiate themselves in the market and attract business travellers who seek a productive yet balanced work trip.”

The wants and needs of corporate travellers are slightly different from people’s wants from their remote-working destinations. According to a study by Remote, the metrics used to rate the top remote working destinations worldwide are:

• Openness
• Internet
• Attractiveness
• Safety
• Quality of life
• Cost of living
• Incentives Inflation

The top 10 destinations listed were:

1. Madrid, Spain
2. Madeira, Portugal
3. Toronto, Canada
4. Auckland, New Zealand
5. Tokyo, Japan
6. Paris, France
7. Portland, USA
8. Taipei, Taiwan
9. Stockholm, Sweden
10. Reykjavík, Iceland

Remote visas are an attractive benefit for people working abroad, said van der Voort: “A common factor among top countries is the availability of a remote visa for digital nomads. In many countries, visitors do not have the legal right to work, and these laws have not been updated for modern times.”

“That means people, as well as their employers, can face serious consequences if they do remote work while travelling internationally, especially for extended periods of time. Madrid is our top city, and Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to live and work in Spain for an extended period of time, providing the opportunity for workers to establish themselves in the country long term, and offers travel freedom within the Schengen area. Similarly, the second-best destination, Madeira, offers the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, allowing remote workers to apply for either a one-year Temporary Stay Visa or a Residency Permit.”

Sydney ranked number 17 on the list, scoring very high (97 per cent) in openness. However, unsurprisingly, the internet scores weren’t the best (48 per cent), impacting the overall ranking.

“Our report ranked Sydney in the top 20 out of 100 globally. In our analysis, Australia scored highly as an attractive and inclusive place to work but falls short of other cities in incentives and pressures associated with the high cost of living,” van der Voort explained.

“The requirements for obtaining a work visa in Australia are quite strict relative to other countries, and the process is complex. Australia doesn’t currently offer a Digital Nomad Visa, meaning that remote workers have to utilise temporary work visas intended for travellers, such as the Working Holiday visa or the Work and Holiday Visa. These visas allow expats to work remotely for an overseas employer for a maximum of six months, presenting a barrier to long-term remote employment in Australia.”

These studies show a keen interest in remote working. The benefits of this working model can help employees and organisations thrive in the post-COVID-19 era of work.

“Remote work is crucial both now and in the foreseeable future. It represents not just the current preferred mode of operation but also paves the way for the broader concept of distributed work. The increasing availability of Digital Nomad Visas and the integration of flexible work policies underscore this change. This shift is creating a more inclusive global talent pool, where the best ideas can come from anywhere, and the best opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of where they happen to be born or choose to live,” said van der Voort.

“Remote work enables professionals to maintain careers wherever they feel most inspired, productive, and balanced … One of the most exciting aspects of distributed work is how it can enable an exchange of cultures, ideas, and innovations and enrich communities. We’re eager to witness the positive impact that global citizens will have on their chosen destinations.”

Jack Campbell

Jack is the editor at HR Leader.