Ireland falls behind in remote work jobs

Research by Grow Remote, a social enterprise advocating for remote working options, reveals that approximately 9,000 Irish roles could be made remote with the implementation of systemic support.

e ndings, based on LinkedIn data from May 2023, indicate that only 11.5% of job advertisements on LinkedIn in Ireland o er remote positions, in stark contrast to Latvia, Estonia and Slo- venia, where 70% of job ads are remote. Sectors such as IT, telecommunications and nancial services have the highest potential for remote and hybrid roles, accounting for 46% of Irish job ads on LinkedIn.

Tracy Keogh, Founder and Board Member of Grow Remote, said that Ireland is far from reaching its full potential in terms of remote work opportunities. In comparison to other countries in

Eastern Europe, Ireland lags behind in the percentage of jobs available remotely, posing a risk to attracting investment and top talent. To address these challenges and explore the future of work, the Grow Remote Summit 2023 will convene the remote working community, government leaders, business innovators and employers on June 8th and 9th.

Recent research shows that 25% of employees in Ireland now work fully remote, with numerous bene ts cited. Increased productivity was reported by 84% of participants, while 60% felt better able to disconnect after work. Additionally, 61% of individuals aged 25-35 are considering relocating within Ireland. Remote work has the potential to revitalise towns and villages, as workers staying in local areas generate economic activity and spur job creation. However, challeng- es remain, including limited local awareness of remote job opportunities and employers’ reluctance to adopt remote work models.

John Riordan, Chairman of Grow Remote, said: “Remote and hybrid working bene ts local economies nationwide as employees are no longer required to relocate to major cities and employees bene t from increased productivity and a superior work-life balance. However, we are also aware that there are associated challenges, including general awareness of remote work, nding jobs that provide remote or hybrid options and issues relating to the supply and adequate number of Irish based remote/hybrid roles being made available to workers. We look forward to discussing these challenges and constructing solutions at this year’s summit, taking place in-person in Portlaoise and online.”