New Research found Work from home workers to be less productive

[marcous]

The important thing is that you have work to do, about the situation I think this is very conditional. The management and creativity of each individual is definitely different, for me personally I prefer to work at home surrounded by my loved ones.
But the fact is that there are so many free jobs that can be done at home without having to enter the office, everyone returns to their own perceptions.

[Wimex]

From my point of view in regard to your question, I feel there are several factors to consider… Freelancers often have greater independence and responsibility over their work, which can lead to a greater sense of ownership and motivation to produce results of high quality. This "own your job" mentality can lead to increased dedication and commitment to assigned tasks. However, not all workers have the personality or motivation to function optimally in an autonomous environment. Some people can thrive in a more structured environment, where guidelines and expectations are more defined.

I have seen that Some companies have adopted approaches that encourage self-management and decision-making by employees, even in traditionally structured roles... which would achieve an increase in motivation and productivity. .. As in the case of American Express that have a mental health section which helps their employees to perform their work better.

I would say that The key is to find a balance between the necessary structure to maintain productivity and enough autonomy to encourage creativity and motivation of employees.

[molsewid]

Not really, the only thing that makes me differentiate wfh and working on site is when you are working from home it is very difficult to separate your household chores to your work, after the job sometimes you need to took care of something else and this is good because when you work on site just like here on us, it will take you 3-4hrs before going home it will consume your personal time so much. But wfh quality in work is same with working on site.

[summonerrk]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

In my opinion, it was always obvious. When I got an office job, I was asked if I wanted to work in the office or at home, I decided to stay in the office. Colleagues are nearby, and it turns out to solve cases with them quickly. The atmosphere is working, and no one distracts as it would be at home. Two monitors allow you to solve problems quickly, and there is no temptation to turn on computer games and start playing. This is actually what my many colleagues who work remotely from home do. They turn on the conference and go to play games themselves, shutting down work programs.
Therefore, I do not consider the results of this study shocking.
Any person feels safe at home, and in order to work, it is necessary to leave the comfort zone, and I mean the internal state.

[Hamphser]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

How they would really be able to consider or find out that their home workers are less efficient? Just like on what others mentioned on which if we do speak about remote works then doesnt mean that they are lazy.

As long the job gets done or whatever tasks that they've been given out then that what matter the most on which it would really be just that there are significant changes in surrounding or environment but i would say that it wont really differ much. If  you are the owner then  you could really be able to spot out to those workers who do fail on doing their job and this is the time that you would really be needing out to take some actions but if you do see that they could able to do their job well despite of being a remote or work from home kind of work then it should really be fine.

Now that we are living in a world that almost we are doing it online then having this kind of integration or industry would really be that common or would really be that
rampant nowadays.

[Fortify]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

In my experience this has definitely been the case, there are all sorts of reasons for this drop in productivity - distractions, or even working longer hours but not actually creating quality work, to lack of socializing or having colleagues in the most accessible environment. I've also seen reduced productivity from other people and it can go to the extreme where they end up in a state of denial themselves, thinking that they are producing good content but actually disappearing for a working day and being less accountable. It's good to see a bit of research backing up this position, but freelance workers are definitely a different breed. Some people genuinely can work in such conditions but they are rarer than most.

[Aanuoluwatofunmi]

The important thing is that you have work to do, about the situation I think this is very conditional. The management and creativity of each individual is definitely different, for me personally I prefer to work at home surrounded by my loved ones.
But the fact is that there are so many free jobs that can be done at home without having to enter the office, everyone returns to their own perceptions.

Working for someone should be under certain conditions which there must be an agreement the parties must come to sign upon, after fulfilling the requirements for the work, most people will prefer work from home because of the conduciveness and lesser stressful  because some don't like the nature of office work conditions due to the strict Challenges with working with group of people in an open environment.

[Finestream]

Not really, the only thing that makes me differentiate wfh and working on site is when you are working from home it is very difficult to separate your household chores to your work, after the job sometimes you need to took care of something else and this is good because when you work on site just like here on us, it will take you 3-4hrs before going home it will consume your personal time so much. But wfh quality in work is same with working on site.

Wfh and working on site/office are actually no difference at all because you share the same goal, that is to finish the task successfully and be productive. While working on site let you focus on your own job without any interruption, wfh on the other hand is sometimes unmanageable especially if you have no private room to serve as your office, and all the household chores are also waiting to be done. Most especially if you have small kids around, the scenario will be a lot different. But I believe what’s more important is that you still achieved your goal, and that is to finish your job at a desired time.

[Oilacris]

Not really, the only thing that makes me differentiate wfh and working on site is when you are working from home it is very difficult to separate your household chores to your work, after the job sometimes you need to took care of something else and this is good because when you work on site just like here on us, it will take you 3-4hrs before going home it will consume your personal time so much. But wfh quality in work is same with working on site.

Wfh and working on site/office are actually no difference at all because you share the same goal, that is to finish the task successfully and be productive. While working on site let you focus on your own job without any interruption, wfh on the other hand is sometimes unmanageable especially if you have no private room to serve as your office, and all the household chores are also waiting to be done. Most especially if you have small kids around, the scenario will be a lot different. But I believe what’s more important is that you still achieved your goal, and that is to finish your job at a desired time.

Doesnt matter if you are really having tons of distractions when you are working at your own home on which same as you said that when you do have the kids playing around or the noise then for sure

you would really be having those kind of delays but what matter the most is that we do able to make the job or work done because i could say that i could be able to deal up with these things as long im with my family on the entire day or simply in the convenience of my own home on which i do prefer.I dont really need to face up some traffic or hassles on that daily commute or drive.
Although there are people who do much prefer on having that socialism with other people and do really love on going into the office due to this reason but in overall and according to someones
preference then it would really be a choice but since we are living in a modern world then it isnt shocking that we are already trying out to make some switch up gradually.

[Uruhara]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

I think about this is really going to lead to different answers. But for people who are initially used to working in an office with tight time management and those who are very productive when working in an office because there is indeed supervision from a superior in the office. So maybe they will become less productive if suddenly they are told to work from home. The reason is because at home we feel more relaxed because there is no direct supervision from superiors. Which keeps us from getting the urge to work harder. But for someone who is used to working at home or who is a freelancer, working at home still won't interfere with his productivity at work.

[Afnan_faizah]

we need to meet people to increase our knowledge, if we are alone there will be no one tell us about what is wrong or what is better. we need good friends guys. freelancer also need friends to gain insight so his quality will be higher.

[slapper]

Freelancers are a different bunch altogether, aren't they? Sort of like being their own boss, making their own rules, wearing their own shoes, you know? So, if you're your boss, you work harder or lazier, or sometimes both. People in the office might work better, or they might not, or maybe they just pretend to work better. There's a chair and a desk, right?

But freelance folks, they own the tasks. Owning tasks is like owning a pet; you have to feed it, love it, care for it. It's business, not another man's business, so it's like more business-y. Could they be more productive? Maybe, maybe not, but the sky's the limit, except there's no sky at home. So, yeah, think about that! Or don't. Up to you, really

[edy_58]

we need to meet people to increase our knowledge, if we are alone there will be no one tell us about what is wrong or what is better. we need good friends guys. freelancer also need friends to gain insight so his quality will be higher.

Everyone who does the work certainly has comfortable conditions to work, some do the work individually and some like to do the work in groups. Maybe what you are saying includes people who want to do their work in groups so they have to do their work together so they can get additional information from other people about what they are doing, it is very different for those who work individually they prefer to do their own work without anyone people who accompany him in doing work.

[DrBeer]

From personal experience: I have IT specialists working for me, after covid and then terrorist aggression from russia, a decision was made to relocate specialists to other cities. When the terrorist army of russia was defeated and fled in shame from most of the occupied territories, people returned. Many lived near Kiev, in satellite cities.
But due to the fact that the office is located in the center of Kiev, and Kiev continues to be shelled by Russian terrorists, a second decision was made - to switch to a remote work schedule. After 2-3 months, I talked to the staff and found out what happened:
- For employees, working at home is an additional motivation
- - a person saves 2-3 hours a day traveling to and from work
- a person reduces the cost of maintaining themselves during working hours
- people have the opportunity to have more contact with their families

from my side benefits:
- I do not bear the cost of maintenance of workplaces, office, related costs
- the real efficiency of work, as I perceive it, is HUGE. People who are motivated by what is described above can work earlier in the morning, can solve tasks in the evening when a good idea comes to them, or even , some time on weekends.
- according to the project management system indicators - efficiency has also increased.

PS business direction: development, outsourcing of IT services.

[xSkylarx]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

I think about this is really going to lead to different answers. But for people who are initially used to working in an office with tight time management and those who are very productive when working in an office because there is indeed supervision from a superior in the office. So maybe they will become less productive if suddenly they are told to work from home. The reason is because at home we feel more relaxed because there is no direct supervision from superiors. Which keeps us from getting the urge to work harder. But for someone who is used to working at home or who is a freelancer, working at home still won't interfere with his productivity at work.

Even though there are supervisors watching you, you still kind of fake it, like you are doing something. Unlike in a work-from-home setup, you are really the one in charge. If there are time trackers or screen trackers, then you'll be working hard, but again, in a work-from-home setup, you'll mostly need to finish the task by the end of the day as there are always reports on what you've done by the end of the day, meaning you'll have to do things. Unlike in an office setup, there are days when there are no meetings, and you'll just casually go in and out.

[DeathAngel]

I think there are advantages in allowing employees to work from home but lower productivity does not surprise me. Being at home with no boss or manager watching you, I can see people being tempted to not work as hard. Sure, many people will be happier to stay home but I could definitely see laziness creeping in with some people & a lack of motivation.

[LogitechMouse]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

I don't know if the article is just bias, or I'm wrong with what I watched during the pandemic.
At that time, there are employees who are working in the office who made a transition, and decided to work from their home, and most of them find themselves to be more productive, and it's better for them since they will have more time to spend with their families.

In our country, on average in one day, we spend around 2-3 hours going into the office, and going back into our homes. Just imagine that time being spent alone for travelling. For those who are going to their office who are now working from home, they find this very good since they are earning, at the same time, they have more time to do things that they aren't doing when they are working on an office.

Work from home workers tend to be less productive? I guess it depends on the environment of the freelancer/worker or whatever term  you want to call. I mean I know some freelancers here in our community, and they are working pretty well, but with a silent environment that's why they are working in midnights till tomorrow morning. On the other hand, I don't know if freelancers are affected with this one, but I believe that having a noisy environment will affect your productivity. Overall, freelancers are the way to go now. No need to wear formal attire, no need to go to a meeting personally, no need to travel for 2-3 hours or even more because of traffic.

[Uruhara]

A study published by the American private nonprofit research organization the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the productivity of workers randomly assigned to work from home was 18% lower than that of those in the office.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/careers/new-research-finds-that-fully-remote-workers-are-less-productive-than-their-in-office/4vxn4sy

These researchers found that if you work from home you will be less efficient and productive than people who from their office. Can we say the same about freelance workers?  Do you think that if workers are given the chance to "own" a task like freelancers they'll be more productive because it is just like being self-employed where you treat it as your business and not with the mindset of another man's business?

I think about this is really going to lead to different answers. But for people who are initially used to working in an office with tight time management and those who are very productive when working in an office because there is indeed supervision from a superior in the office. So maybe they will become less productive if suddenly they are told to work from home. The reason is because at home we feel more relaxed because there is no direct supervision from superiors. Which keeps us from getting the urge to work harder. But for someone who is used to working at home or who is a freelancer, working at home still won't interfere with his productivity at work.

Even though there are supervisors watching you, you still kind of fake it, like you are doing something. Unlike in a work-from-home setup, you are really the one in charge. If there are time trackers or screen trackers, then you'll be working hard, but again, in a work-from-home setup, you'll mostly need to finish the task by the end of the day as there are always reports on what you've done by the end of the day, meaning you'll have to do things. Unlike in an office setup, there are days when there are no meetings, and you'll just casually go in and out.

Well maybe under certain conditions it will be like that. Depends on what field of work we enter. and it also depends on what policies are enforced by the company and the last one is depending on one's own personality. One of the jobs that can be done from anywhere is remote working. Be it as a designer, analyst, digital marketing, and also as a social media manager. And there are also animators, mangaka, writers and so on who are included as freelancers if they do not have direct ties with the company. And usually when there is no bond with the company, this work can indeed be done in a relaxed and flexible way. but if you already have a contract with the company, everything must be done on time, such as deadlines. Sometimes work at home in this field is indeed more productive because even those who are manga artists only have a little down time.

But if it's accounting or other managerial fields that are based on data input and others. usually even though they work at home they usually tend to feel more relaxed when done at home. However, because there is a time limit for completing tasks, basically the productivity will remain the same.

[icalical]

On the article OP mentioned here there are actually two studies referred.

The first studies conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research , this is the direct quotation of one paragraph of their conclusion.

We first find a large positive and significant treatment effect of 18% from working in the office. Two-thirds of the effect exists from the first day of working and the rest is due to quicker learning by office workers over the subsequent weeks. Second, we find negative selection effects for office based workers. Those who prefer home-based work are 12% faster and more accurate at baseline. Finally, we also find negative selection on treatment: workers who prefer home have larger negative productivity effects when allocated to home. The negative selection effects are stronger within subgroups that typically face bigger constraints in selecting office work, such as workers with children and with other home care responsibilities, as well as poorer households.

So based on those paragraph the research actually shows that people who are working from home are 12% faster and more accurate on their work. There is a negative effect but it's largely found on the people who got distraction at home like children or other household.
 

The second one is by PEW Research Center they focused on Teleworker, it said that actually 56% of the respondent claiming that working from home helping them getting the job done and/or meeting the deadlines



So in general working from home has more positive effect, except if you are juggling between your work and household, but I guess even if you are working in your office but you juggling between work and home it will still have negative impact on the productivity.

[Smartvirus]

When one is committed to work from home he/she will be assigned with the proper eight hours of job. This keeps them productive, but these days work from home were like 24X7 work. This makes them really unproductive. Apart from that some companies have cut salaries, and the same will make them work according to the pay. Without reason employees won't go low in their productive work. Now most of the employees have got adopted to the work from home life style and so they don't concentrate effectively which could also be a reason for going low in productive work.

A 24/7 work from home is practically something impossible to archive. Only machines and bots can function I'm this capacity bit ven those too do suffer machine breakdown and bots needs upgrade from time to time. How much more humans.
One of the reason why individuals prefers to work from home is the luxury of having to choose a work time for themselves and 24/7 wouldn't accorx any individual such time. I think if that's what it is, we just might find everyone going out to conduct there affairs.

Still, there is no work as much as having an office space. You get the consciousness of a working environment and the chance to put in your very best and making thebest moves time realise targeted goals. Work grok joke is good but, having to go out for the field or office has a means to an even better productivity.