Workers find WFH beneficial to wellbeing and performance

Workers and managers find working from home (WFH) during the pandemic positive for performance and wellbeing, according to an OECD report surveying employees in 25 countries. 

A separate study by OECD researchers on job postings on jobs site Indeed also found that the increase in advertised remote working jobs during pandemic lockdowns were only reversed modestly when restrictions were eased, reports Bloomberg.

Respondents believe the ideal amount of telework is two to three days in a week, an allocation they find optimal to balance benefits — such as less commuting and fewer distractions at home — with costs like impaired communication and chance interactions with their colleagues. 

“These results suggest that telework is here to stay, especially in countries with high levels of digital preparedness,” the researchers said. 

They added that governments should ensure reliable internet coverage, set regulations to make remote working possible and provide training for workers at risk of being left behind in a teleworking workforce. These include women and workers in smaller companies. 

Workers should also be protected from working too much from home, which could potentially harm productivity and wellbeing, they added.