#remote-work

#remote-work

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

Working from home meant freedom - or so I thought. No commute, no awkward small talk by the coffee machine, no one stealing my yogurt from the office fridge. Instead, it means I have office mates - ones I can't exactly fire. Worse, the man I love holds Zoom calls at high volume, monopolizes the only quiet room with a door, and colonizes the kitchen table, leaving crumbs, papers and chaos behind.

One common goal of retirees is to travel more, and you can help them do that while working remotely as a travel agent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for a travel agent is $48,450. You can plan flights, hotels, or excursions for particular destinations. Working remotely can also include working on the road while traveling to seek out different options for clients. After all, working remotely doesn't always have to mean working from home.

After joining the ranks of the " overemployed" in 2021, John, a millennial software engineer based in California, earned as much as $300,000 annually working multiple full-time remote roles. The extra income boosted his earnings to over $300,000 a year, allowing him to grow his savings and splurge on things like a roughly $9,000 honeymoon with his wife. "I figured I'd give it a shot," John told Business Insider in 2023.

Before the pandemic, office life left many of us at the mercy of overpriced meal deals, vending machines, and a rushed lunch break. Research shows only 37 per cent of European workers took a full lunch break when working on-site, while 10 per cent of UK workers skip their lunch breaks altogether. Data suggests that office lunches can lean heavily on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) - quick and convenient, but low in nutritional value.

You check your phone at 3am because your biggest client is eight time zones away. You miss your kid's soccer game because the office "needs" you. You turn down the perfect apartment in Bangkok because your business demands you stay put. Your success has become your prison. Maybe you're the founder who built something amazing but can't leave headquarters. Maybe you're watching friends post from Kyoto while you're stuck in traffic.

The data, which comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, shows that about 21% of San Franciscans reported working from home in 2024, continuing a decline since remote work peaked at a whopping 45% in 2021. Meanwhile, public transit usage has seen the inverse trend: last year, 25% of people reported commuting by transit, up from the 2021 low of just 11%.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending

One of Airbnb's most underappreciated competitive advantages is how it has quietly become a home for long-term travelers. In 2024, stays of 28 nights or more made up 18% of gross nights booked, according to company filings. That's not a small niche -- it's nearly one in five stays. This trend aligns with broader shifts in how people work and live.

As the economy wobbles through 2025, one worry creeps into the minds of workers everywhere: Am I going to lose my job? While the White House urges Americans to keep calm and continue spending, one New York-based recruiter says workers should be worried. Joel Lalgee (@the_realest_recruiter) predicts that layoffs are looming. No job is safe during downsizing, but Lalgee suggests that one category may be particularly at risk: remote workers.

In recent years, the rise of solo travel among Americans has been stark. Whether that's a shift into digital nomadism and heading overseas for a better work-life balance, or simply joining a small group trip around Europe, there has been a marked increase in solo travel of late. While there are various reasons behind this trend, it seems like it's here to stay.

Daniel Medved, a single dad of three in Seattle, said his situation limits him to only fully remote roles, which shrinks his application pool. He said his company has been more than helpful when it comes to raising his family. "Flexibility has been the single most powerful retention tool that my company has had," Medved said. He needs to get his two daughters and son ready for school daily and "If you add a commute to that, the math doesn't work."

Working from home can offer the flexibility to set your own schedule, giving you the freedom to pursue hobbies, work on fitness, or care for loved ones. In theory, you can work in your sweatpants, and come and go as you please. Plus, there is no hassle of a commute. Whether you're a stay-at-home parent, retiree, or just looking for more flexibility in your career,