Workplace Trend: Nomadic Working and the "Tethered Nomads"
The Pandemic’s effects continue to ripple through the workforce, with employees continuing to seek out remote work flexibility. A 2023 study has found that 17.3 million American workers currently describe themselves as digital nomads, increasing 2% from 2022 after increasing a staggering 131% increase from 2019 to 2022.
“As employers enforce back-to-office mandates, a paradigm shift is unfolding, revealing the dynamic evolution of the modern-day nomad,” said Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners.
Here are 5 key insights from the MBO Partners study about digital nomads:
“Tethered Nomading” refers to the finding that contrary to traditional globetrotting norms, more than half (53%) of American digital nomads now plan to embrace their work-travel lifestyle exclusively within the United States
The Silver Nomads Are Rising. While digital nomads have traditionally skewed young, older cohorts — Gen Xers (born 1965-1980) and Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) — increased their share of digital nomads from 36% in 2022 to 42% in 2023.
Digital Nomads Hit the Road with Their Kids (and Pets). The survey showed that nearly a quarter (24%) of digital nomads travel with their children, and 14% even bring their pets.
Geo-Arbitrage Becomes a Hack for Financial Freedom. To help stretch their income, many digital nomads work from places with relatively low living costs, but for employers in higher-wage countries/cities that pay higher wages. Combining low-cost living with higher income, they can take advantage of income/living cost “geo-arbitrage” providing a greater ability to support themselves by working less, and having more time enjoying their adventures.
Nomadic Camouflage Becomes the New Workforce Hue. In this year’s survey, 14% of digital nomads with traditional jobs reported that their employer does not know they are nomadic. An additional 18% say their company has no digital nomad policy, but their boss has permitted them to work nomadically. In other words, about one-third of digital nomads with traditional jobs are “hidden nomads,” meaning the company does not know where they are working.
When negotiating your next job offer, be sure to integrate remote work flexibility into your employment offer letter or agreement.