The Coalition’s work from the office policy for Australian public servants has been abandoned but it is not clear that their views on this flexible work option have changed.

Peter Dutton and Jane Hume are reported as having said working from home created inefficiencies, harmed productivity and is much more common in the public than in the private sector. But is there any evidence to support these views?

The Centre for Future Work has today published a briefing paper reviewing the evidence on working from home, addressing the questions: Who works from home and why? Who benefits from working from home arrangements? Why do some employers (and politicians) want workers back in the office? What is the future for work from home arrangements?

Some facts:

• More than one in three workers in Australia (36%) usually work from home at least some of the week.
• According to the ABS, industries with the most employees working from home are Financial and Insurance Services, Professional Scientific and Technical Services, Information Media and Telecommunications, and Education and Training. Public Administration and Safety (including public servants) comes in fifth. 
• Benefits for individuals include increased productivity and managing work and care balance, saving time and money spent on travel, giving parents and carers more work and employment option, and providing better access to work for people with a disability or health condition
• Employees’ increased job satisfaction contributes to better retention and significant reduction in employee turnover.
• Increased workforce diversity and access to a larger pool of workers have productivity benefits.
• There is little evidence to support a view that productivity and workplace culture suffer as a result of employees working from home. In fact, organisations benefit when they manage work from home well.