Why WFH could be here to stay – some people prefer it

Just over half the people who have had to work-from-home (WFH) during the pandemic say it suits them well, finds a major survey in India. For them, WFH leads to good-quality sleep, more exercise, better relations with family members, improved mental health, and many say they’re more productive.

What the research shows

A YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial survey questioned 10,000 workers on how they feel about a work-from-home (WFH) routine. They were equally divided on the issue, with about half wanting to get back to the office, and the other half wanting to continue to WFH.

• For a slight majority, not having colleagues around makes WFH “unsatisfactory”. Younger people and women were more likely to be working from home.
• The more educated and higher-earning professionals tended to be able to work from home in larger numbers, while those who earn less or are poorly educated tend to work in roles where WFH is more challenging.
• The trend has meant a dramatic fall in commutes, which has saved people money, but it has also added to home costs, such as utility bills and grocery costs. These trade-offs could prove to be important considerations going forward as employees either push to return to the workplace, or to carry on remotely.

Key takeaway

What is clear, the data shows, is that WFH has had a significant and positive impact on the work-life balance for many, and it’s likely to be in demand by a sizeable number of workers post-pandemic.