New research indicates that remote workers are 18% less productive than in-office workers, based on a study of data entry workers in Chennai conducted by MIT and UCLA economists.
The productivity gap is partially attributed to the slower learning curve of remote workers, with those who prefer working from home being 27% less productive compared to 13% for those who prefer working in the office.
Experts suggest that managers should carefully consider individual cases when deciding on remote work arrangements. They emphasize the potential cost savings on real estate through remote work but advocate for a hybrid model that balances remote and in-office work for optimal productivity.