A new report from the ADP Research Institute has revealed that 30 per cent of Australian workers believe that they could relocate overseas and still stay working for their current employer.
The “People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View” report also highlighted the extent to which international borders are becoming less of a barrier for those looking to become digital nomads. This is especially true for the IT and Telecommunications industry, with 70 per cent of workers thinking that it is possible to relocate overseas and stay at their company.
According to the research, workers believe they can become digital nomads because their employer’s flexible working policy doesn’t require them to be in a specific location, or that they’ve seen others do it successfully.
Flexibility of location is also cited by 18 per cent of the respondents as an important factor to them in a job. The expectation is especially high among the younger workforce in Australia, with 39 per cent of 18-24-year-olds considering relocation compared to nine per cent of those aged 55 or older.
A related survey seems to align with the sentiment, with 18 per cent believing that within five years, the ability to work remotely from anywhere in the world will be the norm.
Kylie Baullo, Managing Director ANZ at ADP commented, “The option for extended travel and true workplace flexibility by being able to work from anywhere is becoming a huge consideration for Australian workers, especially among young people who crave experiences abroad following COVID-induced lockdowns. This changing landscape of work has expanded workers’ horizons – and the trend is here to stay.”
She added, “Flexibility of location empowers workers to explore countries with lower living costs or a different life experience, leading to heightened job satisfaction. Employers who offer location flexibility can therefore attract a larger pool of talent.”
Baullo further said, “In light of these shifting expectations, employers in Australia need to carefully assess their comfort level in enabling remote work abroad and proactively adapt their policies and systems to meet these evolving needs. Ensuring the appropriate placement of workers becomes paramount for employers, particularly in the Australian context. Factors such as security and logistical considerations, including safe access to company networks and effectively managing work across wildly different time zones, must be effectively addressed.”
“It is imperative for employers to communicate clearly and transparently regarding the permissibility of working from abroad and the specific circumstances under which it is allowed. They should be well-prepared to handle requests for overseas work, emphasising to employees that having a laptop does not automatically grant unlimited work freedom,” she concluded.
