A recent UK study of professional staff at two universities offers insight into why results vary. Many employees said homeworking improved focus by reducing interruptions.
One participant called it “a two-sided coin. Yeah, I really enjoy the ability to concentrate better and focus, [but] I miss being able to engage with people [in] daily contact.” Remote work gave staff more time at home, but also made it harder to switch off.
More than five years into the homeworking revolution, many firms are calling staff back to the office, but the story of reluctant employees being “hauled back” oversimplifies what’s really happening.
COVID-19 showed that people could work productively away from their desks, cut commutes and widen job opportunities. However, the new research suggests neither full remote work nor full office life provides the complete answer.
A Stanford University study found higher productivity among employees working from home before the pandemic, but later research painted a mixed picture, showing no consistent productivity advantage for remote workers. The Stanford team later found “no difference in average productivity levels between hybrid and full-time on-site working,” though hybrid staff reported greater satisfaction and lower quit rates.
Most participants preferred hybrid work, a mix of home and office time, to manage those tensions. They recognised that collaboration thrives on-site while deep focus is easier at home. Notably, avoiding commuting was not the main motive; instead, workers valued flexibility and control.
The research suggests the debate should not be framed as remote versus office. It is about choice and finding a balance that works for both sides.