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A significant number of companies in Germany are significantly more skeptical of working from home than many employees: only a small minority of 5.7 percent of companies have so far seen an increase in productivity when working on the go, according to a new survey . In contrast, 30.4 percent of companies reported no change, 27 percent even lower productivity of their workforce. In October, the Ifo Institute in Munich surveyed 1,097 companies on behalf of the Family Business Foundation.
“The explanation for lower productivity may also lie in the fact that companies are a social place,” said Stefan Heidbreder, managing director of the foundation. “Personal contact between employees creates a dynamic and innovative force that video conferencing cannot replace.”
Especially small businesses with problems
Due to the corona pandemic, many companies have significantly expanded the scope of “home office” regulations to prevent contamination in the company or on the way to work. The question of whether or not working at the head office increases productivity remains highly controversial from a political point of view.
In the summer, the DAK health insurance company surveyed about 7,000 employees and concluded that the vast majority (56 percent) consider themselves more productive at work from their desks at home. With reference to the DAK study, the SPD argues, for example, in its demand for a legal anchor of a “right to home office”. There are also studies and surveys on the subject from other countries, with contradictory results.
According to the Ifo survey, employers are much more skeptical about productivity, including many smaller companies. Only 2.9 percent of companies with up to nine employees reported an increase in productivity. In the case of companies with more than 250 employees, however, it is eight percent.
