Irvine, Calif., Aug. 8, 2025 — The University of California, Irvine School of Social Ecology today released the results of its latest UCI-OC Poll, shedding light on the changing nature of work in Orange County two years after the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conducted from June 20 to July 1, 2025, the survey of 800 Orange County adults explores remote work preferences, attitudes toward artificial intelligence and overall job satisfaction – providing valuable insights for business leaders and policymakers navigating the county’s evolving work landscape.
Results include:
“Our findings indicate that Orange County’s workforce is adapting to the new normal, with a strong preference for flexibility in work arrangements,” said Jon Gould, dean of the School of Social Ecology and director of the UCI-OC Poll. “While remote work isn’t feasible for all jobs, it’s clear that employees value the option when available.”
The poll also reveals that while many workers are comfortable with their current positions, there’s a willingness to relocate for remote work opportunities.
“Interestingly, 41 percent of those who work in person or hybrid would leave Orange County if they got a remote job,” Gould noted. “This highlights the importance of work flexibility in talent retention for local businesses.”
Regarding AI, the poll shows a mix of optimism and concern.
“While most workers find AI helpful and productivity-enhancing, there’s a widespread belief that it could lead to job losses,” Gould explained. “This tension underscores the need for thoughtful integration of AI in the workplace and potential policy considerations.”
Despite economic concerns at the national and state levels, Orange County residents remain cautiously optimistic about local conditions.
“We’re seeing a disconnect between how people view their personal economic situation versus the broader economy,” Gould said. “This local resilience is a positive sign for Orange County’s business climate.”
About the UCI-OC Poll: The UCI-OC Poll provides reliable survey data on issues confronting Orange County residents. It also brings business leaders together with elected officials and community members to discuss workable responses to these problems. Whether the challenges concern housing, education, the business climate, sustainability, transportation, crime or many other topics, area leaders are better equipped to navigate the local environment and respond if they have reliable, timely data on the attitudes, priorities and opinions of county residents and a neutral place and convener to consider them. Learn more at sites.uci.edu/ocpoll.
About UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UCI. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UCI seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. The School of Social Ecology plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/uci-school-of-social-ecology/.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus studio with a Comrex IP audio codec to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at https://news.uci.edu/media-resources.