Here is a link to the actual study (PDF via GDrive)

One of the authors of this paper is from the Chicago School and the Hoover Institution. Both are pro-business, anti-worker think-tanks that have been this way for decades. They also don't do any research of their own, but cite other papers that show the 5-20% reduction.

However, the methodology mentioned in the papers is suspect. First, they show that remote workers have the same productivity, but work longer hours. So the net output doesn't go down, they just spend more time working. Which raises the question: How many more breaks were they taking throughout the day? Being remote means a much more flexible schedule, so it's not uncommon to take longer breaks if you're a salaried worker.

Another study was IT professionals shifting to remote work at one company at the start of the pandemic. This one showed an 18% reduction in productivity. But considering the timing of this and that company culture and procedures can contribute to this, it doesn't seem to be a valid data point.

Then they bring up some common criticisms of WFH, which I've seen and refuted since I started working from home 2009: People can't communicate, working in groups is harder, and people can't control themselves. Yawn.

Honestly, the fact that they cherry picked hybrid work as being equally productive shows me this isn't about productivity, it's about keeping offices open. Which makes sense considering one of the authors is affiliated with groups that want to prop up the commercial rental business.

I swear, when I'm called into the office I get fuck all nothing done. Like once in a while there's a reason for me to be on site, and I do that thing and nothing else all day.

Distractions, interruptions, noise, general discomfort. Seems every time I actually start making progress on something, a person stops by my desk and that basically erases whatever I did. So it always ends with "I'll do it tomorrow when I'm at home".

There are tons of other studies that show massive increases in productivity. These bullshit studies are probably sponsored by commercial real estate landlords. They're losing $850B per year since 2020.

It's both decreasing productivity AND saving the economy!!!

https://fortune.com/2023/08/01/remote-work-preventing-economy-from-recession/

Such an incredible paradox 🤯

Totally bullshit. When I'm in the office I'm constantly approached by coworkers wanting to chit chat. Sometimes even when I'm in a Teams meeting with headphones on.

“Please send the planet further into its end with global warming by heating it with transportation needs just so I can talk to your face in real”

These people should be fired. Also they should be penalized by never being permitted to have a warm shower ever again. Reused water all the way down. They can do double time when it comes to mending the planet.

If only there was an objective way to measure the productivity of a commercial enterprise.... like with money... oh wait, they have been making MORE money? With LESS productive workers? Curious

I am exactly as unproductive at home as I am at the office. I'm just more comfortable.

I'm okay with decreased productivity. I don't own stock in the company.

They don't understand that I'd do just as little work in an office as I do from home. In fact, that's what I did, long before I worked from home. I'm really good at exploring hallways and bathrooms and just disappearing for some time.

I get more work done at home.

Let's be honest, Forbes has been a trashhole for a while.

There's like 50 articles i know of that say otherwise.

Sure, some people work better when surrounded by colleagues. Those people usually know that and will seek out on-site work, because it probably also makes them happier.

People who are more efficient at home probably also feel better at home and will seek out remote work.

If you want a much smaller hiring pool, more office upkeep costs and more transport emissions, sure make everyone come into the office... it's so dumb to do this.

IMO if your sector lends itself to remote work and it's not working for your company, you're doing something else wrong.

Lmaooooooo Forbes runs a story on a report that's still in draft (the references section header reads very incomplete), just to spread propaganda that "working from home doesn't work!!!!!!!!"

I like going into the office sometimes and the one I'm in is real nice, but I know some are awful, and commutes can be way longer than mine! (one-way 40 minutes by bus).

The same study says hybrid work (1-4 of 5 days remote work) provided on average a small positive change in productivity.

My raises aren't tied to my performance, so... ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Simply working leads to reduced income. If your raises aren't keeping up with inflation, you've been effectively paid less with every paycheck. And now the worker is expected to increase expense and lose free time in order to get paid less, just to prop up someone else's real estate investments? Fuck that. You want me to come in? Start by paying me more.

I'm shocked people still read: Forbes, fortune and business insider.

What ever legitimacy they once held in the business world is long gone. All three of them went click bait long before COVID (BI was always a click bait outfit) and I find their content to be on par with UK gossip rags or the National Enquirer.

Suggestion, start filtering out these three sites from your news gathering and stop sharing articles on social media from them. It'll make the world a better place!

It's funny how these kinds of articles always read exactly the same. I honestly want to know what offices they are using for these supposed metrics because it seems like people are doing everything they can to just endure and waste time while in actual offices.

Listened to a podcast about this earlier in the week. The research test case was call center workers. Seems like bullshit to generalize like this for all work types. Also, let’s remember how high productivity was during the pandemic when everyone was working from home.

For me personally, my productivity is boosted. Without a commute I end up working an additional 2 hours a day. I have more time to focus and spend less time at lunch. In the office, my coworkers and the environment is distracting. I spend an hour at lunch with my coworkers.

Additionally, all meetings are now remote. Even in the office, people call in from their desks. There is no reason to be in the office.

I dunno giving people more freedom tends to improve their productivity and they get more work done in less time than some micro manging wanker

Linking the paper "cited" in this article here. It's almost like the author didn't even read the executive summary...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kqbngD8pemqxAkZmWCOQ32Yk6PXK9eVA/view

You think thats going to stop the movement...? No one gives a fuck about your company.

When I come to office (one day per week), I come to have a great time with colleagues. No one forces me, I can work fully remote, it's just nice to have colleagues around. We go for a vape, for a lunch, for a walk. Good times. Ohh, and also few meetings that day, since I live ~150km away from office lol.

I openly say in office that I can't work from office. Basically socializing and that's it. Productivity almost zero.

While on the other hand, working from home is where I shine. I can fully focus on my scripting/coding/automation stuff.

"workers want to come back to the office. It's very good. We're serious. They've told us. You can definitely trust us" ~capitalist assholes writing these "articles"

Productivity has a long way to fall before it gets back in line with wages, so I don't think workers should be too concerned.

Forbes is such a joke...

Cries in real estate value

Look I work from home, I think everyone who can (and wants to) work from home should work from home most of the time. But people are definitely less productive working from home, and I think the people who say that most people are more productive are delusional.

There are more important things than just raw productivity numbers, western workers have been working far too hard and far too long for the last half century, and I think we should return to a more humane approach to working.

Also froma purely selfish capitalist perspective I don't neccesarily think the productivity boost of being in person is worth all the costs of a bigger office, cleaning staff etc.

Nothing like trying to tell your workers

Hey! We spent millions on this office space so you can work for pennies on the dollar! Come back so we can make more money you'll never see a cent of or you are fired!

good thing it reduces productivity! we produce too much shit anyway.