Remote Working

There is conflicting evidence on how remote working impacts on productivity, efficiency, health (mental and physical), well-being, morale, creativity, etc; some research states it has a negative impact while other research states that its impact is positive.

Some Australian organisations like Origin Energy, Suncorp group, ANZ, AGL, etc are trying to encourage workers to return to the office by offering bonuses, etc.

However, some businesses have benefited from remote working; service businesses like hairdressers, physiotherapists, personal trainers, health professionals, etc; remote working has allowed them

"...to spread their work more evenly and minimise bottlenecks because clients are no longer only available outside traditional work hours..."

Sally Patten et al, 2024

Generally, there has evolved a new work understanding: as long as work is done on time and to the expected standard, workers are given more flexibility on when and where they worked.

The hybrid blending of remote and office work, appears to get the best of both worlds and minimise negative impacts.

"...That two or three days a week in the office have replaced five days a week as corporate Australia's new workplace standard..."

Australian HR Institute as quoted by Sally Patten et al, 2024 

Generally, office work encourages more face-to-face interaction, ie 

"...That's a knowledge spillover. You share information, you have fortuitous conversations. This learning and development that goes on for junior staff in the office, and there is some research suggesting that it is something that can get lost when people work remotely..."

Danielle Woods as quoted by Sally Patten et al, 2024

However, remote working

- might offer more opportunities to focus and concentrate

- reduce the time and cost of commuting to/from home and office

- reduce office costs, etc