A black woman with glasses says hi to her colleagues, working remotely

During the pandemic, remote work became the new normal for businesses across the UK. Tech and digital companies, in particular, adapted quickly to ensure business continuity and employee safety. As a result, remote working opportunities soared, and many candidates embraced the newfound flexibility. However, in the past year, there has been a noticeable decline in fully remote job opportunities, leaving candidates wondering: what happened to all the remote jobs?

At Adria Solutions, we’ve seen this shift first-hand. While we still receive numerous calls from tech and digital professionals looking for remote roles, the majority of opportunities advertised by our clients are now hybrid or office-based. This article explores why this trend has emerged, what it means for candidates and businesses, and why remote work remains a valuable tool for attracting top talent.

The Rise of Remote Work

When the first lockdown hit, remote work was no longer just a perk; it became a necessity. Companies quickly invested in technology to enable employees to work from home, leading to a significant increase in remote opportunities.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the proportion of UK workers working from home increased from 12% pre-pandemic to 37% in early 2021. Businesses discovered that many roles could be performed just as effectively—if not more so—from home. Productivity remained steady or even improved for some, while employees appreciated the savings in commuting time and costs.

A world map with interconnected pins of colours, to represent Adria Solutions' global talent pool
The boom of remote working opened the door for hiring beyond geographical boundaries, allowing companies to tap into a global talent pool.

Why the Decline in Remote Roles?

Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape has shifted again. The number of fully remote positions has dropped significantly, not just in the UK but also in Europe and the US.

A LinkedIn Workforce Report in late 2023 already highlighted that remote job postings made up just 12% of the total jobs hosted but accounted for over 50% of applications, showing a clear mismatch between supply and demand.

A recent report on the Global State of Remote and Hybrid Work by LinkedIn shows a global decrease in remote hiring. In the UK, the proportion of remote hires decreased by 6.2% at large companies and by 2% at medium-sized companies. In contrast, small businesses continued to see year-over-year growth in remote hires, with a 2.3% increase.

Why are companies pulling back on remote work?

Companies around the world slowly started asking their staff back to the office in 2022 for a number of reasons, including:

  1. Leadership Preferences: Many leaders feel in-person collaboration improves communication, creativity, and team bonding. They argue that informal interactions, such as watercooler chats, spark innovation in ways that video calls cannot.
  2. Challenges in Managing Remote Teams: Not all businesses have mastered the art of remote management. Ensuring productivity, maintaining a strong company culture, and addressing employee engagement remotely can be challenging.
  3. Economic Uncertainty: With the economic pressures of the past year, some companies have opted to tighten control over their workforce by bringing them back to the office.
  4. Hybrid Models as a Compromise: Many organisations have settled on hybrid working as the middle ground, offering flexibility without fully committing to remote setups.
A male hiring manager welcomes a woman, his company's new hire, into his hybrid office
UK companies prefer hybrid to remote working. According to CIPD, 41% of employers allow hybrid working with formalised policies in place, and 19% of employers also have informal practices between managers and employees.

The Impact of this Workplace Trend on Employees and Candidates

The decline in remote roles has left many professionals frustrated. At Adria Solutions, we’ve spoken to candidates who prioritise flexibility due to family commitments, health reasons, or simply a preference for working from home.

Hearing that remote opportunities are scarce can be disheartening; we know it. If you find yourself looking for remote jobs in the UK without much luck, you might want to re-adjust your expectations. Remote work opportunities are still out there but are more competitive than ever. Being open to hybrid roles may increase job prospects, so ask yourself: Can you compromise to one or two days in the office?

Employers are more likely to accommodate remote working requests for candidates with in-demand skills, so if you’re thinking of upskilling, consider improving your expertise in areas like Cloud Computing, Data Analysis, or Cybersecurity, all of which are in high demand these days.

Some organisations are more flexible than others, even if they don’t advertise remote options explicitly. Research and ask about their approach to flexible working when you chat with your recruiter of choice and during the interview process.

Main Benefits for Employers Offering Remote Jobs in the UK

Despite the decline, remote work remains a valuable strategy for attracting and retaining top talent. It’s definitely something to consider if you’re a hiring manager in a smaller organisation wanting to compete with global corporations and well-established tech firms in your area. In a market where candidates value flexibility, offering remote or hybrid options can set a company apart from competitors.

A black woman with glasses says hi to her colleagues, working remotely
Offering remote or hybrid options provides you access to a larger talent pool, improved employee satisfaction and higher talent retention.

The Future of Work: What Employers and Candidates Can Do Moving Forward

We have asked our experts for advice on how employers and candidates can better align on remote working expectations:

→ Dave Berwick‘s advice to Employers:

“Reconsidering the potential of remote work can be a game-changer. While fully remote setups may not suit every role, adopting hybrid or flexible arrangements can make your company more attractive to high-calibre candidates”.

“Make sure to communicate clearly about the support and infrastructure you offer remote or hybrid workers to reassure potential hires that you’re the right company for them”.

→ Nick Derham‘s advice to Candidates:

“You need to ask yourself: How much you want to move jobs? Don’t close the door to exciting opportunities. Being open to hybrid roles or roles requiring occasional office visits can broaden your opportunities.”

“At the job interview, highlight your ability to work independently and your experience with remote collaboration tools to improve your chances of landing a remote work.”

Getting Guidance, Preparing and Adapting to Talent Attraction Trendsfremote

The remote work boom may have slowed, but it’s far from over. Hybrid working models dominate the post-pandemic landscape, so candidates must be prepared to compromise or miss career opportunities. Similarly, those employers who embrace flexibility and, going against the general trend, decide to offer remote jobs in the UK will have the upper hand in attracting the best talent.

We hope you have found this article useful. If you’re confused about whether this is the right strategy for you or simply looking for guidance, you can get in touch with our team, and we’ll be happy to support you.

Marta Rodriguez

Marta Rodriguez

Digital Marketing Manager

Marta Rodriguez is a Digital Marketing Manager with 15 years of experience in Content Creation, Social Media management, Marketing Strategy, SEO and Communication. Marta has provided expert commentary for The Guardian, The Independent, Computer World, The AllBright collective, The Expertise Circle, and UK Recruiter.

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