Go back

Most US research managers would move for a flexible job

   

Survey finds majority of administrators are working remotely and consider it a positive change

Most research managers in the United States seem to enjoy working remotely and would consider switching jobs to secure more flexible working arrangements, a survey has found.

The poll by the National Council of University Research Administrators, which was conducted in July and garnered just over 1,600 responses from research office staff, managers, directors and leaders, found that about 75 per cent of respondents were working remotely at that time.

About 58 per cent of respondents said they would consider changing their job or employer to gain more work flexibility. About 22 per cent said they would not think about switching, while 20 per cent were unsure.

A bigger share—about 82 per cent—said that they thought remote working had, or would have, a positive impact on aspects of work such as productivity, employee wellbeing and satisfaction.

One anonymous respondent who identified themselves as disabled said that working remotely had improved their performance and confidence, while another said they hoped it would allow them to care for a parent living in another state without having to quit their job.

Most respondents said they were given computer hardware or furniture by their employer to help them work remotely, whereas less than half said they were given printing supplies and very few said the expense of internet access was covered.