Interest in remote work has seen a significant spike in the United Kingdom following Zoom’s recent announcement ordering its employees back to the office.
The move by the video communications giant, which was at the forefront of promoting remote work during the pandemic, has triggered a surge in Google searches related to remote work.
According to an analysis of Google search data conducted by Employee performance platform Weekly10, searches for ‘Remote work’ increased by a staggering 197 percent in the UK in just a matter of hours following Zoom’s return to office order.
This sudden surge in interest reflects the growing uncertainty surrounding the future of remote work in the post-pandemic era.
How popular is working from home?
The analysis further revealed a 310 percent increase in searches for ‘Remote jobs’ and a 296 percent increase for ‘Work from home’ in the UK, as employees and job seekers alike contemplate the potential implications of Zoom’s decision.
A spokesperson for Weekly10 commented on these findings, saying, “With the Zoom news being reported globally, it’s likely sent shockwaves through the working from home community, as this could be a trend that could continue, especially with a remote work pioneer like Zoom going back on the very thing it was designed to help with.
Whether more companies follow, only time will tell, and it’s clear that many people are trying to lock down remote positions.”
Zoom’s decision
Zoom’s move to recall its employees to the office represents one of the latest developments in a broader conversation about flexible working policies. As the COVID-19 pandemic altered the landscape of work, many companies adapted to remote work arrangements, leading to discussions about the future of work and its hybrid nature.
The surge in Google searches for remote work-related terms highlights the uncertainty and interest surrounding this issue. Whether Zoom’s decision is an isolated case or a sign of a larger trend remains to be seen. The workforce, employers, and policymakers will likely continue to grapple with the question of how, where, and when work should be conducted in the post-pandemic world.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
