Majority of Workers Remain Remote—And Many Would Keep It That Way

A recent Gallup poll found the majority of US workers are still working from home and many prefer it to remain that way. The rate of remote workers reached its highest point at 70% back in April, but the share has dwindled down to 56% in January. Many other workers split time between telecommuting and working in-person, the Gallup polls found. But if it was up to the workers entirely, 44% of those surveyed said they would continue to work remotely because they prefer to once restrictions are lifted. Another 39% said they would return to working in the office and only 17% they would continue to work from home due to fears of the coronavirus. 

Up to One in Four Workers Hoping to Stay Remote Long-Term
The figures in the previous section are based on workers who have been doing their jobs remotely. When viewed on the basis of the entire workforce, 18% of all workers in January reported they always work from home and, if given the option, would continue doing so as much as possible because they prefer it. Another 5% sometimes work remotely and would prefer to continue to do that.

This brings the percentage of all U.S. workers who want to maintain their remote work arrangement to 23%, or nearly a quarter of the entire workforce.

Despite the decline in the percentage of employees working remotely since May, the percentage of all workers hoping to maintain this arrangement has edged higher, particularly in December and January.

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