With the pandemic and rising property prices, many remote workers moved to small towns or further away from major cities in recent years.
For some, it was an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life, more space, or to be closer to family. For others, moving to a new area was an opportunity to embark on a new adventure, a leap into the unknown.
But now that many employers are asking their employees to return to the office on a full-time or hybrid basis, some people are questioning their choice to move, or their future plans to do so.
Let's take a look at what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
When you live far from the metropolitan areas, you have three options when it comes to work.
- To work for a regional company
- To work for a company that is further away, but doesn’t require you to be in the office every day
- To work for a company that is 100% remote
Notice that the option of working on-site every day for a company far from your home is not mentioned? While it's certainly an option, it's not ideal in the long term. So, if your Toronto employer asks you to come back to the office four or five days a week, even though you now live in Guelph, for example, you should take some time to think it through.
Indeed, long commutes (60 minutes or more) and traffic have been proven to cause stress. According to a 2016 study, a long commute to work can affect a person's health, safety and personal finances.
1. Finding a job in a small town
The first option is to work for a company in your region.
As everyone knows, living and working in a small town is different from living and working in major metropolitan areas.
While salaries may be lower outside major cities, the cost of living is also lower. At a time when access to home ownership is increasingly difficult in large urban centres, buying a property is a possibility in small towns. You’ll also find dynamic and growing companies, renowned universities, and even cutting-edge research institutes outside big cities.
There's no doubt that these companies need educated, skilled and experienced employees, but how do you find a job in a small town?
Finding a job in a small town is not always easy. The greatest difficulty for candidates and employers alike is finding each other. Because, despite the labour shortage, finding the right job in your area means advertising yourself a little, listening carefully and mentioning your interest in relocating, if need be.
So, if you're thinking of working in a small(er) town, you can consult the websites of the various administrative regions or cities to see what jobs are available. Several resources are available to help you find a job in your area.
Check out the Province of Ontario Job Board
As recruiters, we work with employers throughout the province of Ontario and the province of Quebec. Thanks to our network, our recruitment methods and our understanding of the job market, we're in a good position to put you in touch with local employers.
2. Working for a company that is further away, but doesn't require a lot of days in the office
The second option is to not have to go into the office too often.
If your plans to move to a new town haven't yet materialized, or if you're looking for a new employer who allows you to work mainly from home, make sure you ask lots of questions.
It's important to know your employer's (or future employer's) expectations. Indeed, the definitions of different work modes can leave room for different interpretations.
Here are a few questions to ask, depending on the type of work you're being offered...
100% Remote: Although the work can be done remotely, are there any restrictions with regard to the country, province or city in which the employee is located? Is a presence in the office expected occasionally? Are employees eligible for 100% remote working as soon as they start at the company?
Hybrid Work Mode (remote and on-site): What are the expectations regarding the number of days worked in the office and the number worked remotely? Who decides how many hours are to be worked in the office? Are in-office days set in advance or are they flexible?
Occasional Remote Work: How often is remote work permitted? Do work-from-home days have to be approved in advance?
Once these questions have been answered, you'll be able to see whether your employer's policy is compatible with you living in a small town.
3. Working for a company that is 100% remote
The third option is to work from home full-time.
As mentioned above, it's important to ask your employer about their definition of 100% remote, especially if you live more than an hour away from your workplace.
If working 100% remote is allowed, make sure it's the right working arrangement for you. Even if working from home has many advantages, never seeing your colleagues and working alone isn't for everyone.
But if working from home full-time is what you're looking for, you should know that some of the employers we work with allow it. We've created "100% remote work", "Occasional remote work" and "Hybrid work mode" tags in our job offers section, so you can quickly see whether a job is right for you or not.
Browse our job offers to keep up to date with our small town or remote job opportunities.
