10+ Working From Home vs. Office Statistics [2024]
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With the COVID outbreak in Dec. 2019, businesses faced the dire challenge of avoiding bankruptcy and pushing through the pandemic.
As companies shut down, remote work opportunities held up a survival resolution following millions losing their jobs.
Not only did remote work bring people back to work, but it also introduced new working dynamics and reduced office expenses.
As a result, telework remains beneficial to employees and employers worldwide despite the pandemic not being an issue anymore.
Without further ado, let’s jump into some working-from-home vs. office statistics to understand the topic in more detail.
Surprising working from home vs. office statistics
Knowing remote work opportunities impacted both employees and employers simultaneously, the stats in this article are split into two sections.
Remote work statistics for employees:
- According to LinkedIn, remote job opportunities rose by 1100% between March 2020 and December 2021.
- Based on a Gallup survey of US adults, 58% of people in the US are working part-time remote jobs.
- A study conducted by Stanford University uncovered that employee performance in remote work environments increases by 13%.
Remote work statistics for employers:
- According to FlexJobs, businesses lose around $600 billion yearly on workplace distractions.
- Based on Global Workplace Analytics, an average remote employee can help the employer save up to $18,000 annually.
- Remote work can reduce 54 million tons of carbon emissions into the atmosphere each year.
Interesting, right? Now let’s dive into it in more depth:
The efficiency of working from home vs. office
A common fear employers have is that letting employees work from home will reduce productivity.
And that’s not entirely wrong, as people could easily procrastinate in a home office environment. However, the stats imply something else.
Read more about the efficiency of working from home vs. office:
1. Remote employees work an extra 26 hours each month
(Source: Owl Labs)
According to a 2020 survey, remote employees worked an extra 26 hours each month, almost an extra day per week.
That’s often due to the fewer breaks and the quieter, more comfortable environment at home.
2. Remote workers report being less distracted by co-workers
(Source: Airtasker)
Remote employees say they feel less distracted by co-workers, which helps them get more work done.
Reports indicate they spend less time discussing non-work topics and 7% less talking to the management team.
Cost of working from home vs. office
Despite how much employers fear remote work, it benefits them by minimizing the costs of a physical work environment.
Additionally, it helps employees save plenty of time and money on food-related expenses and commutes.
Read more about the cost of working from home vs. office:
3. Remote employees help the employer save up to $18,000 annually
(Source: Global Workplace Analytics)
According to statistics, it costs companies $18,000 per year to have one employee in an office environment.
If you multiply the cost by the number of employees, you can see how much money remote work saves annually.
4. 20-25% of companies pay for home office equipment and furnishings
(Source: Global Workplace Analytics)
More considerate employers use the money saved on remote work to provide employees with better facilities at home.
That may include providing a fast internet connection, a solid computer device, etc., leading to more productive quality work.
5. Remote work saves employees between $2,500 and $4,000 per year
(Source: Global Workplace Analytics)
Remote work is not only cost-friendly for businesses but also helps the average employee save from $2,500 to $4,000 yearly.
That is often due to reduced food expenses, fuel costs, parking, car insurance payments, and car maintenance.
Remote work vs. office productivity
Although an office environment works fine, reports indicate that remote work can help employees become more productive.
A study in 2021 discovered that 55% of employees work more hours from home than they do in the office.
Read more about remote work vs. office productivity:
6. Remote work can increase productivity by 47%
(Source: Apollo Technical)
According to a recent study, 47% of employees who work from home indicate signs of increased productivity.
That includes 30% of employees getting more work done in less time and 24% doing more in the same period.
7. Remote workers spend 20 minutes of every hour they save on commuting for work-related tasks.
(Source: Zoe Talent Solutions)
On average, remote workers save 72 minutes a day on commuting. This indicates that employees who work from home work over an hour more weekly, compared to in-office workers.
8. Work-from-home employees spend 15% less time avoiding work
(Source: Airtasker)
A review from 2020 indicated employees who work from work spend less time procrastinating.
While it may seem insignificant, the 15% difference leads to employees spending 1.4 more days working every month.
9. 86% of employees prefer to work alone to maximize productivity
(Source: Apollo Technical)
A recent study revealed that 86% of employees prefer to work in a private environment rather than a public office.
They reported that remote work helps avoid office distractions and encourages being as productive as possible.
Working from home vs. office salary
It’s generally believed that remote workers earn less money than on-site employees, which makes no sense!
That’s why it’s essential to study eligible statistics on remote work before deciding to leave it for a traditional work environment.
Let’s shed some light on that:
10. Companies use remote work as leverage to negotiate lower pay for employees.
(Source: Forbes)
Big companies with over 250 employees are more likely to employ this tactic, with 52.4%. On the other hand, 35.3% of smaller businesses attempt to offer lower wages in exchange for remote work.
11. Hybrid workers earn the highest salaries.
(Source: CNBC)
With an average salary of $80,000 yearly, hybrid workers outperform both remote ($74,000) and on-site employees ($55,000).
Wrap up
Although the COVID outbreak had a terrible impact on the world, it changed how employers view remote work.
According to the working from home vs. office statistics, remote work provides a plethora of advantages to both employees and employers.
So, next time consider applying for a remote position with less hesitation; good opportunities are waiting.
FAQ
CNBC reports that, currently, around 27% of all work is done from home. This is a 33% drop from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While it may be surprising, remote work actually helps increase productivity. According to a study by ConnectSolutions, 47% of people who work remotely show signs of enhanced productivity and enthusiasm toward their job.
The Workforce Happiness Index is higher for remote workers. A study from 2022 shows that working from home increases employee happiness by 20%.
Working from home vs office statistics show benefits across the board.
46% of the employees prefer remote work to save money on the commute, 47% enjoy working from the comfort of their homes, 35% feel more productive outside the office, 29% do it for improved mental health, etc.
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