Update on Working from Home
Authors: Ifrah Ahmad, Katelyn Miyasaki
Nearly five years after the pandemic began, office occupancy remains at just 50% of pre-pandemic levels [1], with little change over the past two years [2]. Despite calls from some executives and politicians for a return to in-person work, many employees and organizations continue to work remotely. In October 2023, 21.7% of all workers over 25 still worked remotely, either partially or fully, compared to 11% in February 2020. This shift reflects a broader transformation over the last five years in how we work and live. Return to in-office work is also linked to lower productivity and a high attrition rate [3].
While remote work is often viewed as a hallmark of the “pandemic era,” it was already gaining traction in certain industries prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In sectors like tech, consulting, and creative industries, more than 5% of the workforce was working remotely even before the pandemic [4]. Some governments, such as Ireland, are committed to ensuring that remote work continues to be a permanent feature of the workplace, requiring that 20% of public sector employers move to remote working. Official reasons for this include less commuting, more time for family and leisure, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions [5]. These studies also suggest that people who adopt remote working in Ireland “may save an equivalent of 1,400 euros and almost 4 days of their life spent commuting each year” [6]. This reflects an emerging perspective on remote work as a solution to broader societal challenges beyond the pandemic.
During the early days of the pandemic, productivity surged as employees worked longer hours without typical office interruptions [7] while also enjoying improvements to various aspects of mental health [8]. Despite concerns from high-profile executives about remote work’s impact on collaboration and company culture [9], the ability to work remotely improves employee retention without damaging performance [10].
The ability to retain and support employees has become increasingly crucial as a significant portion of the workforce faces the impacts of Long COVID/Post-COVID-19 Condition. Long COVID can affect every organ system, often leading to chronic health issues and making in-person work challenging or impossible. Offering remote work options enables affected employees to remain productive while managing their symptoms, and it reduces the risks of additional illnesses for everyone [11].
As the pandemic continues and individuals across the globe are repeatedly reinfected, long-term health consequences are accumulating [12]. Avoiding (re)infection is both very possible [13] and a worthwhile goal [14]. Remote work both serves to avoid (re)infections and improves overall quality of life and productivity.
As we move forward, it’s clear that remote work is no longer just an emergency measure—it’s a long-term shift that benefits both employees and organizations. With its proven advantages in productivity, retention, and public health, remote work has become a key strategy for building a more resilient and adaptable workforce.
Resources for Remote Work
Websites such as the following can help you find positions that are offered either 100% remote or hybrid, but as always, be mindful of scams when looking for work:
Sites such as Fiverr and Upwork can also provide short-term opportunities.
Sources
[1] Kastle Systems. (Dec. 2024). https://www.kastle.com/safety-wellness/getting-america-back-to-work/
[2] World Health Network. (Nov. 2023). Work From Home Revolution. https://whn.global/newsletter/work-from-home-revolution/
[3] Fortune. (July 2024), A quarter of bosses admit their return-to-office mandates were meant to make staff quit, https://fortune.com/2024/07/24/return-to-office-mandates-layoffs-bamboohr-survey
[4] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024). The rise in remote work since the pandemic and its impact on productivity https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-13/remote-work-productivity.htm
[5] Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. (2021). Making Remote Work: National Remote Work Strategy. Government of Ireland. Retrieved from https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/fea14-making-remote-work-national-remote-work-strategy/
[6] Newsendip (May 2022) Potential gains and losses of remote working in Ireland evaluated by the government. Retrieved from https://www.newsendip.com/potential-gains-and-losses-of-remote-working-in-ireland-evaluated-by-the-government/
[7] StatCan. (2021). The Productivity of Remote Work: A Canadian Perspective. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28-0001/2021005/article/00004-eng.htm
[8] Kennette, L. N., & Lin, P. S. (2021, June 28). Healthier at Home. APS Observer. Retrieved from https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/remote-benefits
[9] CNBC. (January 2025). Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy call remote work a ‘Covid-era privilege.’ Economists say it’s here to stay. Musk, Ramaswamy call remote work ‘Covid-era privilege.’ Some economists disagree
[10] Nature. (June 2024). Hybrid working from home improves retention without damaging performance. Hybrid working from home improves retention without damaging performance | Nature
[11] Harvard Business Review. (May 2024). Long Covid at Work: A Manager’s Guide. https://hbr.org/2024/05/long-covid-at-work-a-managers-guide
[12] World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. https://www.who.int/europe/emergencies/situations/covid-19#:~:text=This%20does%20not%20mean%20the%20pandemic%20itself%20is%20over
[13] Clinical Microbiology Reviews. (May 2024). Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review. https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/cmr.00124-23
[14] Research Square. (September 2024). Long COVID and associated outcomes following COVID-19 reinfections: Insights from an International Patient-Led Survey. https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-4909082/v1