Smaller companies and startups are adopting flexible work arrangements, enabling them to better compete for talent against larger corporations that enforce strict in-office policies. Remote work research indicates a slight increase in home-based workdays among workers, attributed mostly to these smaller firms. Younger employees particularly value flexibility to manage their work-life balance amidst various responsibilities. Experts suggest that customized HR strategies, catering to both organizational and employee needs, can enhance recruitment and retention, leaving big firms to reconsider their rigid work policies.
"It's a great way for small companies to compete with big companies for talent," said Nicole Kyle, who studies the future of work, about giving workers greater autonomy.
Nick Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University… research shows that in January 2023, 27.2% of fully paid working days were from home. By June 2025, the rate had edged up to 27.9%. That's mostly thanks to smaller companies and startups.
…doing the opposite could help smaller firms compete for talent and cut costs.
Rather than across-the-board mandates, Kossek said, employers should construct a human resources strategy that accommodates an organization's needs and those of its workers.
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