From October to November 2021, Workforce WindsorEssex conducted a survey to examine the experiences of local workers and employers with remote work.

With a strong response of over 300 participants, the results provide unique area-focused insights into remote work’s perception in the community.

Overall, remote working models were found to have an overwhelming appeal to those who have the means to do so. Most respondents were able to express what made remote work appealing, as well as the drawbacks of working remotely.

For those who do not work remotely, may noted their workplaces had considered adopting at least a partially-remote model. However, the obstacles listed to adopting remote work at these workplaces appeared to contrast with the experiences of those who work remotely

Moving forward, Workforce WindsorEssex will use this data to guide the development of remote work resources and further explore the experiences of remote work from an employer perspective.

Highlights of the findings can be viewed below:

Remote Work Survey Results

 

Demographics

  • 95% of respondents identify as employees
  • 43.5% of respondents work partially remotely, 33.9% work totally remotely, and 22.6% work in-person
  • 76.5% of respondents work for Windsor-based employers
    • 11% based outside of Windsor-Essex, most commonly Toronto
  • Top 5 sectors by response:
    • Public Administration (19.7%)
    • Health Care and Social Assistance (19%)
    • Finance and Insurance (10.8%)
    • Manufacturing (10.6%)
    • Educational Services (8.6%)

Remote Worker Responses

  • When asked to describe the change of working remotely,
    • 75.7% remote workers describe it as either a very positive or positive change

 

  • When describing the positives of working remotely,
    • 93.3% list saving money/time by not commuting,
    • 80.6% fewer office distractions/interruptions,
    • 71.3% more productive/efficient work results,
    • 56.4% less pressure/greater flexibility from management

 

  • When describing the negatives of working remotely,
    • 41.9% list isolation from physical workplace.
    • 31.8% technical difficulties with home equipment + communication barriers with staff (tie),
    • 21.8% higher utility bills,
    • 19% N.A,
    • 16% other

 

  • When asked if they would choose to keep working remotely,
    • 84% said yes
    • 10% no,
    • 6% not sure

 

  • When asked would be convinced by remote work-specified job to apply,
    • 72.5% would apply because of it,
    • 19.8% no impact,
    • 7.7% would not apply

 

Non-Remote Worker Responses

  • 61.3% of non-remote employees say their workplace has considered remote work
    • Among those who considered, 82.6% considered a partially-remote model, 17.7% totally remote
  • When asked why remote work was not adopted by their workplace,
    • 43.6% note the presumption that employees would be less productive,  
    • 21.8% said general negative perceptions of remote work,  
    • 14.6% said it was not relevant to their field,  
    • 9.1% provided other individual responses
  • 80% of all respondents said they believe remote work will remain relevant in the foreseeable future

 

For questions, comments, or more information, please contact: info@workforcewindsoressex.com, Subject: Remote Work Survey