Get All Access for $5/mo

It Might Be the End of the Flexible Work Era, According to LinkedIn Data The number of flexible work postings has fallen by five percentage points since April.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Ekaterina Goncharova | Getty Images

The pandemic changed the way U.S. employees work — and by now, many of them have fully embraced remote and hybrid models.

But the era of flexible work might be coming to an end, per LinkedIn data reported by CNBC. In the U.S., the number of postings for remote roles has plummeted by five percentage points since April, when they hit a record high of 20%.

Related: Workplace Flexibility Can Impact How You Attract, Hire, and Retain Talent

What might be contributing to the fall? With the summer and its vacations behind us, CEOs have said they'd like employees to be in the office a set number of days each week, according to CNN, signaling a general shift in attitude. Still, many of those policies remain unenforced.

Per LinkedIn's data, the decline in remote-work opportunities in the U.S. has not decreased employee demand for them: More than half of the job applications in September were for these remote roles, which account for 15% of total postings.

Many employees are unwilling to part with the flexible model's benefits, which include better work-life balance and mental health. And encouraging them to do so could prove difficult, given how successful the newer arrangements have been overall.

"The only thing holding back flexible work arrangements was a failure of imagination," Joan Williams, director of the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California, Hastings told The New York Times. "That failure was remedied in three weeks' time in March 2020."

Related: How to Make Company Flex Schedules Work for Everyone

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

Retirees Are Raking in Billions With These 4 Side Hustles: 'There's No Age Limit to Innovation'

Most Americans plan to work part-time in retirement — and the opportunities are endless.

Real Estate

Why You Should Consider Commercial Real Estate as Your Next Investment

This article highlights the benefits of investing in commercial real estate while also addressing the associated risks you should consider.

Growing a Business

3 Reasons Why You Need a Team-Empowered Company To Scale Your Business

Among the many benefits a team-empowered company can bring, founders should remember these three reasons this setup is critical for any company looking to scale.

Business News

CVS Is Laying Off Nearly 3,000 Workers to Cut Costs

CVS is working on a multi-year mission to save $2 billion.

Thought Leaders

How to Build a Personal Brand Like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown and James Clear

Thought leaders like Simon Sinek and Brené Brown became known for one big idea, which helped them build authority and trust. By honing in on your unique strengths, accomplishments, and experiences and staying consistent, you can establish yourself as a go-to expert in your niche.

Growing a Business

How I Transformed My Business by Letting Go of Low-Value Tasks and Focusing on High-Impact Activities

Stop wasting time on $10 tasks, and focus on growing a $10 million business.