Not everyone may rush back to the office post-pandemic.

During the pandemic, many of us shifted to working from home with the expectation that once things settle, we would all return to the office without looking back. However, this experience of remote work is new to a lot of employees since businesses have only recently started allowing it. Recent data suggests that some employees have found working from home to be significantly beneficial for their well-being.

An examination carried out by CNBC and SurveyMonkey found that remote workers tend to express higher levels of satisfaction with their jobs compared to those who still commute to a physical workplace, rating their workplace happiness at 75 out of 100. The statistics indicate that individuals who have the ability to work remotely are more likely to work full-time, have a higher income, and are employed in industries known for job satisfaction.

Naturally, it is important to note that not all industries can accommodate remote work. Sectors heavily reliant on technology may find it easier to transition, but essential workers such as those in grocery stores and healthcare cannot work remotely. The key factors influencing satisfaction while working from home include job status, income, and industry.

Employees in industries that support and allow remote work report a minimum of 57% job satisfaction, 81% pay satisfaction, and 66% satisfaction with opportunities for career advancement. While there are variables like living arrangements and family size that play a role in job satisfaction, the numbers are thought-provoking. Many large companies that shifted to remote work during the pandemic are contemplating a permanent transition to remote work. The future landscape of the job market will become clearer once social distancing restrictions ease up.