Over a year ago, millions set up home offices, logging in from living rooms, bedrooms, or studies. Few predicted we'd still be here 12 months later. LinkedIn News Editor Liza Jansen shares 10 valuable lessons from this extended remote work experiment.
'Homework burnout' is real
Early reports highlighted impacts on mental health. LinkedIn research found 42% of HR professionals noting increased anxiety, burnout, isolation, and loneliness among employees working from home.
Work-life balance takes center stage
Balance has always mattered, but blurred boundaries made it essential. Post-pandemic, many repurposed commute time for leisure, redefining 'the new normal.'
Missing the commute? Try 'fake commuting'
Some professionals miss that transition time for news, books, or podcasts. A simple solution: short walks or bike rides before and after work to bookend your day.
Flexibility is here to stay
As offices partially reopened last summer under guidelines, flexible working gained traction. A May 2020 survey showed 37% of professionals wanting more schedule control post-crisis.
Homeschooling plus work: a true challenge
Balancing jobs with teaching kids at home tested many parents. Initiatives like teacher-in-training Laura Harbers' LinkedIn offers to assist working elders proved invaluable.
Authenticity over perfection in video calls
Meetings from kitchens or bedrooms merged personal and professional lives. LinkedIn profile photos reflect this shift: more genuine images replacing suited studio shots. Updated yours?
Unemployment stigma fades
COVID shifted views—65% of Dutch respondents judge the unemployed less harshly. This openness boosted help-seeking, with over 6 million using LinkedIn's #OpenToWork frame since June 2020.
Community conversations surge
Remote work amplified the value of colleague chats. LinkedIn saw a 48% rise in platform conversations.
Upskilling is crucial
With job competition rising and sector shifts, retraining matters. LinkedIn supported thousands last year via 1,000 hours of free online courses to close skills gaps.
New opportunities emerge
Despite economic challenges, roles in online retail, customer service, and digital marketing grew, boosting confidence for job seekers navigating change.
