Research on Remote Work Productivity

Prior to the pandemic, only 5% of American workers performed remote work. In May of 2020, this figure surpassed 60%. Our own survey of Fortune 500 executives reveals a comparable increase, from 16% to 65% of employees working virtually.

This massive shift has raised questions about the future of work, specifically regarding remote work productivity.

how efficient is home-based work?

Working at home is just as productive as working in the office, if not more so. In a two-year study of more than 800,000 employees at Fortune 500 companies, Great Place to Work® found that the majority reported stable or even increased productivity levels after employees began working from home.

remote work productivity research

• People are willing to pay more to get the job done.
• People readily adapt to the necessary changes for a business's success.

The percentage of respondents who selected "often true" or "almost always true" for both statements is represented by the percent positives.

does working at home boost productivity?

Comparing the employee productivity from March to August of 2020, the first six months of stay-at-home orders, to the same six-month period in 2019, we measured and compared employee productivity. Results indicated that working from home increased productivity.

Employees were likely able to accomplish more with the elimination of daily commutes and lengthy in-person meetings. However, the greatest impact on remote work productivity came from the same factors that affect productivity in-person: company culture and leadership.

how corporate culture influences the effectiveness of remote work

We conducted a comment analysis of employee survey responses to the open-ended question, "Is there anything unique or unusual about this company that makes it a great place to work?"

Intriguingly, over time, the phrase most frequently used by individuals with high productivity has changed. In March-May, the phrase "catered lunches at home" was the most popular, demonstrating the effectiveness of perks in boosting employee happiness and productivity.

From June to August, however, "genuinely love" was the most commonly used phrase. These remarks include the following:

• Here, we are truly cherished!"
• I have never felt so loved and cared for by a workplace before. My coworkers are one of the highlights of my day because I feel so connected to them.
• They are friendly and approachable. Everyone I've spoken with truly enjoys coming to work every day, which makes the difficult tasks easier!

From September to December, the phrase "positive atmosphere" was most frequently used by employees to describe what makes their organization a great place to work.

Long-term employee productivity was influenced by camaraderie and a positive company culture, not by perks provided during the first few months of working from home.

Camaraderie is similar to a covert weapon. "When employees experience the intersection of great work, a powerful mission, and shared values, productivity soars," explained Julian Lute, strategic advisor at Great Place to Work.

Employees in great workplaces believe their coworkers see them as whole people, bringing family, hobbies, and passions to work each day. When relationships are robust, employees feel energized and bring their skills to the table to collaborate on organizational objectives.