Are you transitioning into a new regulatory affairs position or considering your options for starting a new job search?
If so, you should give some serious thought to your preferred work environment.
It’s definitely a candidate-friendly hiring market right now, and work-lifestyle flexibility is at a premium. A big part of the flexibility lies in the ability to work completely remote, in a hybrid environment, or full-time in the office.
We’re seeing a broad spectrum of opinions and a significant amount of discussion on the subject of work environments from employees and employers alike. So we thought we’d share some of our thoughts and experience.
The business world has changed dramatically over the last several years, and the workforce has changed along with it.
If you’re thinking about a job or career change, we can help you find the right work-lifestyle environment with the right company. Our team of regulatory affairs professionals can help you streamline the search, interview, and hiring process. Professional recruiting is a personal business, and we take every client’s job search personally. We want to hear your story. Call one of our recruiting professionals at (772) 212-2753, or get in touch online today!
This post will clarify some of the myths surrounding remote work, explain what the current statistics show, and offer our thoughts on what the future holds.
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
- The numbers and statistics for the workforce at large
- Is a remote or virtual work scenario the right solution for all employees?
- How to evaluate whether or not a remote work environment fits your work-lifestyle goals
- Some real-world work environment considerations to think about
So let’s get started with some real numbers.
The numbers and statistics for the workforce at large.
4 fast facts to know about hybrid work
- Of those that worked from home during the pandemic, 73% have returned to the office at least one day a week. (Owl Labs)
- 59% of remote teams work within a span of 2-5 time zones. (Buffer)
- Remote job posts on LinkedIn doubled between May 2020 to May 2021— from 6% of all job posts to 14%.
- The industries with the highest number of remote workers are healthcare (15%), technology (10%), and financial services (9%). (Owl Labs)
Statistics also show that over 80% of knowledge workers want some type of remote or hybrid flexibility in their work locations. The numbers are clear, and workers have spoken—remote work is here to stay.
But is a remote or virtual work scenario the right solution for all employees?
Not all employees want to work virtually. Some people prefer to work in the office at least some or all of the time. This is a matter of personal choice. Many employers are returning to full-time in-office work requirements, but most will continue to offer hybrid work environment choices.
There is definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. The good news is that flexible choices exist, especially for specialized professions, including regulatory affairs.
With all of the choices available for work locations, you need to do some serious self-evaluation.
How to evaluate whether or not a remote work environment fits your work-lifestyle goals.
Much of the decision-making process comes down to personal preferences and individual job-lifestyle goals. Here are some questions to include in your self-evaluation:
- Does your personality lend itself to remote work, or do you perform better with face-to-face collaboration?
- Are you self-disciplined enough to set your own schedule, work hours, and accessibility?
- Do you prefer working alone, or do you thrive in the context of human interaction?
- Do you enjoy the social aspect of collegial interaction?
These are serious questions. Forbes pointed out in a recent article that the number two concern among virtual workers, right behind interaction and collaboration, was loneliness.
Let’s face it, some of us just prefer human interaction and connection. These preferences are very common. Others enjoy the promise of personal freedom, autonomy, and self-reliance that fully remote positions offer.
The good news is that today’s workforce solutions offer plenty of choices.
So what are the logical and physical considerations in addition to the personal work-lifestyle preferences?
Some real-world work environment considerations to think about.
- Do you have an appropriate physical space available for remote work?
- Who provides (and pays for) the office accouterments and technology?
- Will your employer provide any requisite specialized technology?
As we all know, there’s more to an office space than a file cabinet and a wall plug!
Remote knowledge workers need to seriously evaluate the availability of a private workspace with the necessary power, internet, and privacy that regulatory affairs professionals need to work effectively.
The need for specialized technology also needs to be considered. Sharing highly sensitive, regulated information will require security solutions like point-to-point VPNs, encrypted storage devices, and cloud technologies. These technology endpoints all need to be secure.
If there are special tech requirements, what are they, and who will pay for them? Who is responsible for any potential cyber attacks, like ransomware, information theft, data breaches, etc.? The Forbes article (ibid) also points out the significantly increased perimeter of cyber threats in parallel with the increase in the remote workforce.
What’s next for the remote workforce?
We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we know that remote and hybrid work options are rapidly evolving and increasing. Regulatory Affairs professionals will need to adapt to the industry. And that’s not a bad thing.
Are you looking for your next regulatory affairs career opportunity? We know the RA space intimately and the companies looking for exceptional talent. The team at Shepherd Regulatory Search will get to know you and your professional career goals to match you up with these companies.
So now what? How do you find the right position to meet your personal and professional goals? Do the job boards and career sites seem intimidating, overcrowded, and unfocused?
Are you considering a career change or modification? Are you open to more flexible types of employment opportunities? Are you looking for a specific type of job, and you’re willing to wait for the right opportunity? Are you getting ready to reenter the workforce after an extended absence?
We’re here to listen first. Once we understand your skills and goals, we’ll start connecting you with the right opportunities. We’ll even provide resume and interviewing tips.
Want to hear more about our specialized Regulatory Affairs recruiting process? Call one of our experts at (772) 212-2753, or get in touch online and start the conversation today!