TRAVERSE CITY — A new survey by Networks Northwest shows remote work is the preferred work arrangement for employees in the Grand Traverse region.
Networks Northwest CEO Janie McNabb presented the results last week at a panel discussion hosted by Traverse Connect, a local economic development group.
The feedback indicated that 43 percent of the more than 800 surveyed employees prefer to work from home, while 24 percent prefer a hybrid arrangement.
The survey, based in the northwestern portion of the Lower Peninsula, also showed that many of them started working remotely because of the flexibility it offers.
Based on the feedback, Networks Northwest identified the benefits and challenges of remote work. The benefits include an increase in efficiency, productivity, and more career opportunities.
The challenges were that employees in remote situations may have longer workdays and unpredictable schedules, reduced communication with coworkers and social isolation.
Local and national business representatives also discussed the feedback and the future of the remote workplace during the discussion. Some of the concerns for the workforce are about the companies' community aspect.
One of panelists was Ford Insurance's Human Resources Manager Madison Partak.
Partak said the community within companies can still be collaborative, even when it's remote.
“I think, for some people, it's going to look like just having a casual chat over Chat sometimes, and that's enough for them,” she said. “For others, they want to fly wherever or drive wherever and have an in-person connection once a quarter."
She also said work environments are more nuanced now, with less strictness in expectations and schedules.
Another panelist was LinkedIn’s Senior Client Solutions Manager Kelsey Fox. She said the hybrid arrangement is — and will be — the dominant model. With a remote workforce, however, creating a community can be difficult, she acknowledged.
Fox said that LinkedIn offers events where employees can connect.
“We have a culture council at LinkedIn; we do coffee chats. We have mentorship programs, so people can employ resource groups, so people can get involved in whatever they want to get involved in.”
The third panelist was Gretchen Overbeek, vice president of human resources at Hagerty Insurance.
Hagerty Insurance announced last fall that it would be bringing back a portion of its workforce this spring. Overbeek said the company brought back about 20% of its employees to the office.
“I think the thing that we're still working on is that one size does not fit all,” she said.
