New Surveys: Remote Work Boosts Productivity, Office Mandates Stress Women
Two new reports indicate that remote and hybrid work is widely seen as beneficial for productivity, even as companies push for office returns. Mandates for returning to the office disproportionately affect women, increasing stress and reducing productivity for many. While employers value collaboration, workers report negative impacts on productivity and wellbeing from office returns.
Two new research pieces from Morgan McKinley and CIPD suggest employers, HR professionals, and employees largely believe remote and hybrid work enhances productivity, despite a push for office returns. However, employers also value on-site work for collaboration and managerial oversight.
The Morgan McKinley report highlights a disproportionate impact of return-to-office mandates on women. Among 440 respondents, 69 per cent of women required to work more in the office reported increased stress, compared to 52 per cent of men. Additionally, 62 per cent of women said it hurt their productivity. Women were also more likely to have caring responsibilities, with only 47 per cent satisfied with current attendance requirements, versus 52 per cent of men.
Employers most commonly cited enhanced collaboration (73 per cent) and improved «culture building» (69 per cent) as benefits of office returns. However, only 22 per cent of employers felt it positively impacted productivity, while 33 per cent felt it had a negative impact. Among workers, views on productivity were starker: 60 per cent reported a negative impact, and only 12 per cent a positive one. Many workers also believe they need higher pay to offset commuting costs, and 21 per cent feel mandates signal reduced support for diversity.
A separate CIPD report, with Kemmy Business School, found two-thirds of HR managers believe hybrid working delivers the best productivity outcomes. Over 90 per cent believed it aided recruitment and retention, and 88 per cent saw a positive impact on employee wellbeing. Yet, 65 per cent noted it limited informal learning, and 48 per cent said it negatively affected managers’ ability to manage.