Business
Getting Remote Right: Akamai-i4cp Survey Finds 83% of Remote-Friendly Companies Report High Productivity
Survey reveals talent, trust, and connection — not badge swipes — fuel success among remote-first companies CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
About this update from Akamai Technologies, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Survey reveals talent, trust, and connection — not badge swipes — fuel success among remote-first companies\nCAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Think productivity requires a return to the office? Think again. A new survey commissioned by Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, in partnership with the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), reveals that remote-first workplaces are not only sustainable, but also highly productive.\nAccording to the study, 83% of remote-friendly companies self-report high or very high productivity, with 62% citing \"high\" productivity and 21% reporting it as \"very high.\" Notably, 62% of these companies do not use surveillance tools like VPN usage logs or keystroke tracking, signaling a strong culture of mutual trust.\n\"We want our employees to work where they get their best work done. Flexible work is a proven way to empower employees,\" said Anthony Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Akamai. \"When executed successfully, remote work strategies have bountiful benefits: Employees experience greater work-life balance, while employers can attract and retain top talent. We hope these findings and insights provide guidance and inspiration to leaders looking to begin or improve their remote work journeys.\"\nAdditional key findings of the study include:\nRemote work is now the norm: 52% of responding companies reported remote-first as their default mode of work, with most making the shift since the pandemic. Only 7% indicated plans to revert in the future.Talent is the top driver: 72% cited access to a wider talent pool as their main reason for adopting remote-first models, followed by work-life balance (62%) and retention (31%).Mental health and flexibility are table stakes: 79% offer mental health benefits and 72% provide flexible hours, while more than 50% reimburse home office expenses.Thoughtful gatherings foster connections: Annual and semi-annual in-person gatherings are common, with strategy sessions (86%), team-building events (76%), and social gatherings (72%) playing key roles in culture building.\"Remote-first organizations are showing what's possible when you design work for performance and people,\" said Kevin Oakes, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Fo...