Work from Home Productivity Facts and Statistics 2024

With the world uncovering better ways of working without physical interaction, the work-from-home workforce is evolving. Businesses must deal with most non-essential workers doing their work from home. Just how effective is it to adopt this kind of work model? Could working from home indeed increase your productivity amid a global pandemic? 

Here is everything you need to know about work from home productivity. 

Does Working from Home Increase Employee Performance?

Working from home increases productivity by 13 percent, according to a Stanford study of 16,000 employees conducted over nine months. 

This performance improvement could be attributed to a quieter, more comfortable work environment and working more minutes per shift because of fewer breaks and sick leave. 

Workers in this study also reported increased job satisfaction, with dissatisfaction rates being reduced by half. 

Is Working from Home More Productive?

As we have already seen, working from home does improve performance, but does it influence employee productivity? 

According to a survey conducted by ConnectSolutions, 77 percent of those who work remotely at least a few times every month report improved productivity, with 30 percent doing more work in a shorter time. However, work from home productivity remained the same in 24 percent of the sample group. 

Before the Pandemic Versus After the Pandemic

The hybrid or work-from-home model was not a way of life before the pandemic came along, forcing people to keep their distance to prevent the spread of this contagious disease. 

In this section, we explore the differences between working remotely before and after the pandemic, as well as level of remote worker productivity.

Work from Home Statistics: Before the Pandemic

Many businesses are afraid of allowing their employees to work from home because they believe this model to be less productive, and this isn't entirely untrue. Unlike working in an office setting, it's easy to be distracted, procrastinate, or do work less efficiently at home than in the office. 

According to a 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics study, 24 percent of employees did some or all their work from home on days they worked. 82 percent of employed people did some or all their work at their place of business. 

The same study indicated that workers in financial, business, and managerial occupations (37 percent of the group), and other related occupations (33 percent of the group), were more likely than those in other occupations to do some or all their work remotely on working days. 

Another study done in 2012 indicated that office employees who were appointed tedious tasks performed faster, and better in the standard office setting. When you do not enjoy your job, household distractions are more likely to keep you from working productively. 

Work From Home Statistics: After the Pandemic

The pandemic has caused much to change. Working from home is now no longer an option, but a necessity. It has resulted in the rapid growth of technological advancements to help make remote working that much easier. 

According to recent survey results, working remotely produces a faster turnaround on projects and increases productivity at work. 

Great Place to Work compared worker productivity from March to August 2020 to the same period in 2019. According to a two-year study of 800,000 workers, remote worker productivity was either stable or increased when done from home. 

Prodoscore work from home statistics reported a 47 percent improvement in productivity since March 2020 compared to March and April 2019 and has determined when individuals are most productive. 

According to the report, employees are most productive on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between 10:30 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. The typical workday still runs from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and more employees are using email and software to communicate with their coworkers. 

A Stanford work from home statistics showed that only 65 percent of Americans have an internet that is efficient enough to manage video calls. 42 percent of Americans work remotely, while 26 percent work at their employer's office space. 

While many challenges still prevail, it is clear to see that the hybrid and remote working models are changing with the development of new tools. 

Why Have People Turned to Work from Home Models?

There are several reasons why more and more companies are adopting a remote or hybrid work model. The main reason for this is the pandemic that has required social distancing. This has forced many employers to rethink the way they work. 

Keeping a business afloat during a global pandemic is not an easy task. Still, by allowing workers to work from home, the company can continue to function with a lower risk of employees being infected. 

The way the working model once functioned is changing, making way for a new model. This hybrid work model provides several benefits for employees and employers alike. Employees get to work from the comfort of their own homes, while employers save on workspace and modern office furniture. 

Employees also get to balance their work-life more efficiently and require less leave or sick days. 

How Can You Increase Your Work from Home Productivity?

If you are new to the concept, or wish to improve your current work model, here are some tips for productive remote working. 

1. Set Up a Home Office

While you may be tempted to set up your laptop on the dining table and begin your workday, it may not help you be productive. When people think of working from home, they often think of the comfort they could not get from working at an office. 

However, comfort comes at the cost of productivity. Working on a lap desk in your bed is more likely to get you to fall asleep than to finish your assigned tasks. When setting up your home office, you must choose ergonomic office furniture that does not cause you to injure your body while working. 

Arranging your work area in a way that is not cluttered is an essential part of improving work from home productivity. Be sure to choose productive office layouts that give you enough space to store equipment. 

Essential components of a home office setup are the ergonomic chair and a productive desk. 

Standing Desks

A standing desk can help promote work from home productivity, as it allows you to alternate between a sit-stand work method while still fully supporting your body and preventing injury. This way of working can have several health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of heart disease, and weight loss. 

Here are a few key elements to consider when choosing a standing desk:

• Height range. BIFMA recommends that adjustable standing desks have a height range of 22.6 to 48.7 inches.
• Noise emission. A noisy desk can cause distraction, which reduces your productivity.
• Programmability can save you lots of time and effort when moving your desk up and down.
• Speed. A slow-moving desk may discourage you from using it, so be sure to choose one that moves up and down quickly and easily. 

Autonomous has taken all these ergonomic requirements and more into consideration to produce standing desks that improve your concentration and productivity. Some examples include the SmartDesk 2 (Standard) and the SmartDesk 2 L-Shaped. 

• SmartDesk 2 (Standard)

SmartDesk 2 (Standard) desktops are built to be long-lasting, contemporary, and sturdy. All Autonomous standing desks are UL certified, and BIFMA approved. 

If that wasn't enough, the SmartDesk 2 (Standard) has Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) certification, indicating that it is an excellent choice for any home office. 

The desk has a quiet motor that emits only 50 decibels of sound, and there is a wide range of colors to choose from, so you are sure to find one that suits your preferences. Get a deal on this desk when you sign into the employee purchase program. 

• SmartDesk 2 L-Shaped

The SmartDesk 2 L-Shaped is a stylish, contemporary L-shaped standing desk that fulfills all ergonomic requirements. It allows you to switch between sitting and standing by pressing a button silently. 

Thanks to its whisper-quiet triple motor and four programmable settings, it makes a great addition to any work area that does not hinder your concentration and boost productive remote working. 

Ergonomic Chairs

• No home office work setup would be complete without an ergonomic chair to support you while you are seated. Here are some characteristics of a reliable, ergonomic chair:
• Adjustability. The best office chairs are completely adjustable, allowing you to move them up and down, adjust the armrests, back tilt, and tilt tension.
• Lumbar support. An ergonomic chair always includes good lumbar support to prevent injury to the lower back.
• Arm support. Having armrests that adjust to your body is essential, and can help to relieve strain to the neck, shoulders, and back.
• Headrest. A reclining headrest is handy, and lets you rest your head periodically to relieve strain on neck muscles. 

Autonomous has a range of ergonomic chairs to choose from. Its most popular is the ErgoChair Pro.

If you're looking for a modern chair that looks as good as it feels, the ErgoChair Pro is the ideal chair for you. It has everything you could need in an ergonomic chair and more. 

They are built to be durable and provide the highest level of support and comfort, helping relieve and prevent back pain. The ErgoChair Pro is ideal if you intend to spend long hours at your desk.  

Autonomous’ ergonomically designed chairs come in various colors, enabling them to blend in with any contemporary office design. The chair has adjustable armrests, seat height, tilt tension, and reclines for optimum comfort and support. 

2. Dress for the Occasion

Casual attire or pajamas are great to wear at home because they provide comfort and a sense of freedom. However, wearing them for 48 hours may not help you stay productive remote working. 

It is not essential to dress as formally as you would for the office, but simply changing your clothes can signal to the brain that it is time to wake up and get to work. 

The human brain is wired so that when deciding, it takes signals from our personal and social perspectives. When you dress up for work, you give your brain a reason to work. It acts as a natural alarm, keeping you awake during the day. 

3. Try Productivity Gadgets

Productivity gadgets may not be what you think. Simple items such as cable management hooks or headphones can help you to achieve a higher level of work from home productivity. 

Finding tools that help you manage your work more efficiently can boost your productivity and help you accomplish more in a workday. This is because they can remove clutter, block out distractions, or make your space more appealing.

4. Take Breaks as Needed

While this may seem counterproductive, it is quite the opposite. When your mind is feeling overwhelmed, or your work is causing your stress levels to rise, taking a break may help you calm down, refocus, and resume working productively. 

This is a crucial productivity improvement technique, as it avoids burnout. People who work remotely are prone to be overworked. As there is no formal structure to their day, they may find themselves working into the night. 

Taking regular breaks to enjoy a walk in the garden or a cup of coffee can help prevent burnout. 

5. Communicate

Even though you may be working from home, you must use the communication tools provided by our employer to communicate with your team to promote your work from home productivity. 

Working in isolation can cause people to become lonely, so if you find yourself longing for social interaction, be sure to communicate with your manager or team members, who can provide support and encouragement. 

Final Thoughts

Working from home was once an ineffective model that proved to have dismal productivity rates before the pandemic. However, with the spread of Covid-19 forcing workers to work from home, manufacturers have been forced to find more efficient ways to help the remote and hybrid models workforce operate more efficiently. 

According to studies, a comfortable, efficient home working environment is one of the most important aspects of improving work from home productivity. Be sure to consult Autonomous’ range of ergonomic office furniture for your home office setup.