Return-to-office mandates continue to dominate headlines this summer as companies worry about lost productivity from their remote workers. It begs the question, are remote workers as productive as office employees?
According to a new survey of 1,000 workers (both remote and in-person), 61% don’t think companies should require workers to return to the office, and almost two-thirds of remote workers said nothing would entice them to come back to the office.
Maybe it’s because of the many health benefits remote workers cited as part of their work-from-home lifestyle. 81% said it was easier to eat healthy while working from home, and almost 2 in 5 said remote work has had a positive impact on their mental health.
Or maybe it’s because of all the things remote workers are able to do on the clock that isn’t actually related to work. According to the research, remote employees are doing a lot of laundry, cooking, and washing the dishes. But others are enjoying some entertainment. 43% admitted to watching a movie or TV show during the workday, and 26% have played a video game! Some have mixed business with pleasure, with nearly 1 in 6 (15%) having sex.
Many remote workers have taken casual to a whole new level too. More than half (54%) have worked from their bed, and 76% work in pajamas one day a week or more! Others have done double duty. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) have worked from the toilet, and 18% have taken a work call while on the pot. Bold move.
And while survey respondents listed many health benefits to working from home, there are some costs. Top work-from-home pains and strains include back and neck pain and eye irritation. More than half of Americans are trying to get a more supportive desk and chair for their WFH setup, but 67% said it’s too expensive for them to buy. Since 2020, Americans have invested a lot in expanding and remodeling their home offices, spending an average of $788. But 77% believe companies should be helping with this cost by providing WFH equipment, such as ergonomic chairs and standing desks, for their remote employees.
All of this has added to the discussion around productivity in remote-workers and created some paranoia within the workforce. 1 in 4 think their employer secretly monitors them to make sure they’re actually working from home. Gen Z is so worried that 1 in 10 uses a mouse jiggler to make it look like they’re working.
Remote workers do miss some parts of working in the office: the ability to talk to others in person and the ease of separating work and home life. However, it can’t top some of the WFH perks, such as no commute, flexibility, and work-life balance.
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Of the remote workers surveyed, 98% like working from home. Office workers don’t share the same sentiment about their work setting. Just 66% of in-person workers like working in the office. While some workers may end up back in that setting again, it looks like remote work is here to stay, at least for some companies.
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