Working Remotely
This guide will help you find the information you need to explore remote working, also known as ‘telecommuting’, or ‘working from home’.
About Remote Work
Remote working is a work arrangement that allows employees to perform their usual job duties at an alternative location instead of going into the office. It is becoming more common for people to do at least some of their work remotely.
According to a survey of British Columbians conducted in May 2020:
- 30% of people in BC work remotely
- 60% of workers realize their job is doable outside the office
- 53% of employees would prefer to work remotely much more often
Technology has made it possible for remote workers to be connected to the office by telephone, computer, and internet. Statistics Canada estimates that 39% of Canadian workers hold jobs that can potentially be carried out from home. People with advanced education are more likely to work remotely. Almost 6 in 10 workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher education (59%) can work from home, compared with only 10% of workers with no high school diploma.
Employees can work on a full- or part-time basis from a remote worksite, including their home, a shared workspace or an alternate work location approved by the employer.
A recent study by Brookfield Institute reveals that more than 70% of Canadian firms in professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, and information and cultural industries consider remote work a possibility in the near future.
Larger firms have a greater ability for employees to work from home, with 60% of firms with 100+ employees stating that working from home is a possibility.