One of the most interesting aspects that the COVID-19 pandemic has left us is the trend towards teleworking or hybrid work. And two years after its implementation in much of the world, we have asked ourselves the following question: how many days are ideal? Well, opinion varies widely in each region of the world.
Nick Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University, was in charge of carrying out the census that shows us the opinion of each country regarding teleworking. Speaking to The Atlantic confirms that, two years after implementing this work proposal, more and more companies join it. Either in its hybrid or full facet.
“I have spoken with hundreds of companies about teleworking”, comments the professor to the aforementioned medium. Also ensuring that a “95% of them now say they will go to the hybrid formatwhile the remaining five percent will leave for full-time telecommuting.” If there is one thing that is clear, it is that the number of workers in the same office will not return to the numbers prior to 2020.
How many days of teleworking do each part of the world prefer?
As we mentioned, there is a disparity between the wishes of employees and employers when it comes to defining the number of hybrid teleworking days. Statistics show that the first claim, on average, 1.7 days of teleworking per week. Meanwhile, employers are only willing to offer 0.7 days on average.
In Spain, for example, surveyed employees requested 1.92 days of teleworking (on average), while employers are only willing to grant 0.64 days. A contrast that is also repeated in other countries of the world, to a greater or lesser extent. These are some examples:
| Days requested by employees | Days offered by the company | |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 2.34 | 0.76 |
| United Kingdom | 1.93 | 0.96 |
| Singapore | 2.26 | 1.08 |
| Egypt | 1.96 | 0.45 |
An inequality based on fear
But why is there such a significant difference two years after the rise of this modality throughout the world? Despite everything, employers hide a motive. According to this same research, those involved in telecommuting are four times more likely to have multiple jobs without telling their employers. An interesting fact that causes some discomfort among executives.
In the meantime, workers who go to the office every day barely reach 0.8 on average in this same parameter. A more than remarkable difference.
On the other hand, the workers demonstrated a clear tendency to choose for themselves the days to work in person. 57.7% prefer to choose the day freely, even if this means only seeing half of your coworkers during those days. 42.3% prefer to work in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays on a regular basis and, instead, always see all of their colleagues.
The clear benefits of continuing with teleworking as a modality
If more companies are implementing teleworking as an ideal way, it is because it is giving good results. Research shows that respondents feel 4% more efficient when working from homecompared to doing it on your company premises.
Although changing the way of working that has been established in society for centuries may seem counterintuitive for the advancement of a business, everything indicates that business owners are missing out on a great opportunity by turning their backs on teleworking or hybrid mode. So far, everything seems to be benefits, at least for companies. As for the mental health of workers, the matter indicates to differ a little more in some, and it is much worse if you are a woman.
