States Offer Serious Incentives to Move There To Work Remote, And Enticing Workers Back To The Office

Cities and states around the country are offering incentives to remote workers to move, with West Virginia offering $12,000 in relocation cash paid over two years, a $2,500 outdoor recreation package and free coworking space.  According to a recent San Francisco Business Times article, 272 people have taken advantage of these incentives. “West Virginia notes the current retention rate for its program is 98%, and the average worker salary I the program is $105,664.” Tulsa offers $10,000 in cash and free desk space and enticed 2,400 people to come to the city. On the other hand, employers are mandating workers come to the office three or four days a week, with some offering matching charitable donations if they come back to the office. But employees have a different idea. “In Bend, Oregon, about 73.5% of job applicants were for remote jobs. In Ashville, North Carolina, about 71.5% of job applicants went for remote jogs. That is far more than the 25.8% of applicants that went for remote jobs in New York City, or the 20% in Chicago.” As of March 17, 2023 nearly 30% of San Francisco job openings offered hybrid or fully remote work, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Incentives employers are using to entice workers back to the office include childcare benefits, commuter benefits (paid parking, public transit passes, toll cards, pick-up and drop-off services for team members), pet stipends, free meals, casual dress code, pop-up events (wine tasting, picnics, escape rooms, talent shows, scavenger hunts), care packages and grocery stipends.