Because five days of office work can be a thing of the past

The five-day office work may be a thing of the past, according to an OECD survey of workers in 25 countries, according to Bloomberg.

Both employees and managers found that teleworking during the pandemic was positive for both their performance and their well-being, the OECD report said. The percentage of staff working remotely at least one day a week is expected to be much higher than before the pandemic.

A separate study by OECD researchers on job postings on the Indeed website found that the significant increase in advertised telecommuting during the Covid blockades was only slightly reversed when the restrictions were eased.

“These results suggest that teleworking has come to stay, especially in countries with high levels of digital readiness,” the researchers said.

A steady shift to teleworking would have significant implications for the structure of economies, from productivity to workers’ rights and childcare.

Researchers say governments should ensure reliable online coverage for employees, enact regulations to enable teleworking, and provide training for those at risk of being left behind in a teleworking world, including women and workers in smaller companies.

They also stressed that workers should be protected from overwork from home, which can damage their productivity.

According to research participants, the ideal amount of teleworking is two to three days a week, in order to balance the benefits, such as less travel and fewer distractions at home, with costs, such as reduced communication.

“There is no doubt that the experience gained during the teleworking pandemic will have a significant impact on the organization of work in the coming years,” the researchers said.