Among the many ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic permanently altered the world, one which is clearly having a lasting effect is the dynamics of where and when we work. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released the 2023 American Time Use Survey, which offered some revealing insights into how we spend our days as well as variations by gender, race/ethnicity, education level, age, and income.
Last year, about 35% of employed people did some or all of their work from home. That’s about equal to the 2022 rate and well above the pre-pandemic level of 24% in 2019. Although some companies are engaged in concerted efforts to bring workers back into the office, others have accepted this new reality. Many firms use a hybrid method, with employees expected to be in person for certain periods.
A number of studies have sought to determine the effects of working from home on productivity, and the results vary depending on the approach and sample being examined. It can be a great option for some situations, allowing firms to tap into a broader workforce pool and offering employees additional opportunities and flexibility. In other cases, however, it may reduce job satisfaction, efficiency, and productivity.
