State of Remote Work in Switzerland

Let's face it: most of us want to have more flexibility in our work.

Driving to the office early in the morning to be there on time at 9:00am sharp - we've all been there 🤐. And it is becoming more apparent now, more than ever, that nobody wants to return back to where we were before 2019.

The ability to work from home offers numerous benefits, such as flexibility, increased autonomy, and reduced commute time and cost. As a result, many job seekers now prioritize remote work options when considering new job opportunities.

According to an article by McKinsey, remote work is highly desirable among job seekers. The report surveyed 25,000 respondents and found that 87% of them would take the opportunity to work remotely if it was offered to them. This high percentage indicates that remote work has now become a highly sought-after perk in the job market.

And this is not surprising.

Remote work not only benefits the employees, it is also beneficial to the employers.

Remote friendliness acts as a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. In the end, it provides access to a broader pool of job seekers, not just those who live within the commute range of your office location

Image by Vadim Kaipov @Unsplash

There is also evidence that working remotely improves productivity:

Efficiency

Working remotely saves the time and effort of commuting to work. According to swissinfo, the average commute time to work in Switzerland was 30 minutes in 2016 and 71% of people work in a different municipality from where they live.

Factors such as heavy traffic during peak times, make commute time even longer. In the end, regularly coming to the office becomes a stressful and tiring routine for employees. The results are the expected loss in productivity, motivation along with a negative impact on the employee's overall well-being.

If you do the math, an average employee in Switzerland spends 5 hours every week if working from the office is the only option.

Time spent on supplementary activities such as cooking (and packing) lunch adds up to additional hours lost on a weekly basis.

Cost Saving

One of the biggest expenses that employees face when working from the office is transportation. Those who do not live within walking distance of their workplace would need to take public transportation or use their own vehicle to commute to work.

The cost of gas, parking, or public transit fares add up quickly, especially if the workplace is located in a busy city centre with high parking fees.

You have to buy lunch or snacks during the workday, which can be expensive, especially if the company does not offer a canteen with reduced prices.

Family

One of the benefits of remote work is the increased amount of time employees can spend with their loved ones. By working from home, you eliminate long commutes and have more flexibility in your schedules, allowing you to spend more quality time with your family.

As a parent, you can be there for important moments such as school drop-offs and pick-ups, meals, and homework. Slowly, the days when you used to get an hour to see your children in the evening before going to bed are disappearing.

Additionally, remote work can reduce the need for costly childcare, as parents can work around their children's schedules.

Working from home can also benefit those who have ageing parents or family members with disabilities. They can better manage their caregiving responsibilities by having a more flexible work schedule and being able to attend appointments and emergencies without needing to take time off work.

...so are we more productive working remotely?

Many employees report higher productivity with a remote job, as reported in this Fortune article.

Most relate this to having fewer distractions and the possibility to concentrate.

Working from home can provide a level of comfort and convenience that is difficult to match in an office setting. Employees can set up their workspace in a way that best suits their needs, and take breaks when necessary without worrying about judgment from their colleagues.

A remote job can help eliminate or reduce distractions that may be present in a traditional office setting, such as noise from co-workers, and the need to engage in office politics. Employees can enjoy a better work-life balance, which can ultimately lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity.

There are of course many more points that can be added to this list, I only mentioned a few of the most cited ones.

Ready to find your new challenge in Switzerland?

If you're a Swiss national or already have a permit, you can directly browse and apply for remote jobs on our website. 🏝️ Good luck with your job hunt!