99% of Fortune Executives Believe the Future of Work is Distributed

While many executives still disagree in the full-time return to office debate, it seems that almost all believe the workforce will be distributed in the future.  

According to a recent report published by Atlassian called, “Lessons Learned: 1,000 Days of Distributed at Atlassian,” 99% of executives foresee an increasingly distributed work environment in the future. This data is based on a survey of 100 Fortune 500 executives and 100 Fortune 1000 executives. 

The distributed work model, as Atlassian’s survey explores, is not confined to remote work but embodies a broader range of online collaboration across different locations. Executives’ almost 100% belief in the model’s future challenges the notion that full-time, in-office work will return to pre-pandemic norms.  

The data suggests that physical presence is no longer the cornerstone of productivity or innovation. In fact, the majority, or 98% of the executives in the survey, agree that the effectiveness of work is less about location and more about the methodologies and processes in place. 

According to an analysis of the report published by the Economic Times, Atlassian’s “Team Anywhere” policy, which allows employees the flexibility to work from home, office, or a combination, has shown positive results. Atlassian boats that this approach to work environments has not only improved talent attraction and retention but also significantly improved gender diversity in its India-based offices — with more than two times an increase in women’s representation. The company’s employee feedback reinforces this success, with 92% stating that the policy enables them to deliver their best work and 91% citing it as a key factor for their continued employment with Atlassian. 

The data also sheds light on common misconceptions about distributed work. For instance, only one-third of executives with an in-office mandate believe that such policies positively impact productivity. According to the Economic times, 87% of executives report a lack of visibility into team goals, suggesting that collaboration challenges are not necessarily related to physical locations but more so to organizational structure and communication. 

The report suggests a strong belief in distributed work models, driven by the need for flexibility, diversity, and efficiency. Greater flexibility can impact a company’s innovation, talent acquisition, and overall business performance. Atlassian’s report, therefore, serves as a crucial reminder for companies navigating the transition to hybrid work environments as a main stay in the workforce — emphasizing the importance of embracing distributed work not as a temporary adjustment but as a long-term strategic approach to work.