Is working from home bad for productivity?
No. A meta-analysis of 110 studies covering 45,288 people shows: remote work boosts satisfaction, commitment and performance. It's about the „how", not the „whether".
No. An evidence-based study denies this. Working from home is good for productivity.
The current debate about remote work and return-to-office policies is gathering pace. But the facts speak for themselves: home office and remote work are not bad for productivity per se. A recent meta-analysis based on 110 independent samples covering 45,288 people offers new insights.
Key results of the meta-analysis
- ➡️ Overall, the positive effects outweigh the negative ones at a few days of remote-work intensity per week.
- ➡️ Effects include higher satisfaction, higher commitment, a stronger sense of autonomy, higher performance and a lower intention to quit.
- ➡️ Social isolation can be an issue at higher remote-work intensity, but the positive effects still outweigh the negative ones.
✅ Conclusion
It is less about the „whether" and more about the „how" of implementation. Current „back to office" discussions often ignore evidence-based management. Especially now – in times of crisis and recession – we need precisely the culture, working environment and forms of work that lead to greater productivity and performance from home. Especially as sickness absence rates are currently at record levels 🤔
Original source: A dual pathway model of remote work intensity: A meta-analysis of its simultaneous positive and negative effects (Gajendran, 2024 – Personnel Psychology, Wiley).
Further information
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