Does working from home improve productivity? Yes... and no.
No one can agree on whether WFH is good or bad for productivity. Here’s what the latest evidence says.
A substantial debate over whether the shift towards remote work ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic improves productivity or not is happening among economists across the world.
A new report released today by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia includes a deep dive from senior economist Melissa Wilson and economist James Brooks about just this issue.
Their answer? It's complicated.
Firstly, the CEDA economists warn there are some big gaps in the evidence and it’s early days to draw conclusions. Much of the surveys and research relied upon to make assessments about WFH was collected during the pandemic (which was a very unusual period), are subjectively measured or were conducted in different economies. Yet this is still the cutting edge of productivity research.
And secondly, they go to lengths to say their findings depend on individual managers, teams and businesses.
