A recent study conducted by the TU Darmstadt has found that employees who work from home tend to be happier and more productive compared to those working in the office. The study surveyed 1,136 office workers, with 76% of those in the home office reporting a sense of productivity, compared to only 61% in the company office. Additionally, 1 in 5 respondents admitted to being unproductive in the office, while only 11% reported the same issue in the home office. The study also revealed that 62% believe that better quality work can be delivered from home.
According to co-author of the study, Kyra Voll, the results indicate that employees prioritize the ability to work successfully when deciding where to work. Employers will need to address their employees’ desire for more remote work in order to achieve potential efficiency gains. The study also showed that working from home positively affects satisfaction, with 81% of respondents reporting satisfaction with remote work and 72% appreciating the improved work-life balance. In contrast, only 57% of employees reported satisfaction with office work, with employees in open-plan offices being particularly dissatisfied (67%).
Furthermore, the study suggests that working from home could have benefits for mental health. A third of respondents reported experiencing burnout, and 18% reported boredom in the office (boreout). However, the more hours employees spent working from home, the lower their levels of boreout and burnout.
The study also highlighted the importance of companies meeting their employees’ requests for flexible work arrangements. 24% of respondents stated that they would quit if their employer did not offer flexible work options in terms of time and location. On the other hand, 57% did not see a reason for termination.
Currently, there is a trend among large tech companies, such as Google, Amazon, Meta, and Apple, to restrict remote working and enforce office attendance. Some companies have tied office attendance to benefits and salaries, which has faced significant resistance. These companies argue that there is a loss of creativity and corporate culture when employees are not physically present in the office. In Germany, it is estimated that around 25% of employees in the economy work at least partially from home, with IT service providers having the highest percentage of employees utilizing remote work (almost three-quarters).
In conclusion, the study highlights the advantages of remote work, including increased productivity, satisfaction, and improved work-life balance. It also emphasizes the importance for employers to address their employees’ desire for flexible work arrangements. However, there is a current trend among certain tech companies to bring employees back to the office, citing concerns about creativity and corporate culture.
