Searches for remote jobs in the UK soared to record highs in the same week that rail strikes were announced, suggesting workers are more keen than ever to avoid the commute. Google searches for remote jobs jumped a staggering 262% between June 5 and 11, as RMT announced the strikes that are currently taking place and causing widespread travel disruption across the country.
According to research carried out by JohnSlots this was the highest search level for remote working in history, 23% higher than at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Google Trends shows that the amount of Brits looking for remote jobs via the search engine exploded over 200% above their usual rate back in January 2020, and have continued to rise throughout the past two years. There has been a particularly steep increase since the start of the year as the cost of living crisis continues to have a huge impact on households.
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A spokesperson from JohnSlots said: “Amid the cost of living crisis, workers are increasingly attracted to remote-working positions, which afford additional flexibility, especially for parents, without having to pay for a daily commute.”
They added: “With no sign of a resolution to the RMT strike or ease to increasing costs, it will be interesting to see whether these searches increase further and if more Brits decide to quit their job in favour of remote working.”
The rail strikes taking place on 21, 23 and 25 June are set to cause heavy disruption in the North East this week, with all the rail operators in the region affected and a stretch of the Tyne and Wear Metro also closed. Passengers have been told to be aware that far fewer trains are running, and services will stop far earlier in the day than usual.
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