Five out of every ten big German firms have scrapped remote work again
Approximately 20% of businesses in Germany have discontinued remote work arrangements. - Approximately 20% of enterprises in Germany have resumed requiring on-site work.
In the corporate world, working from home, especially in larger companies, is quite common. A whopping 71% of companies with 100-499 employees offer remote work opportunities, and this figure increases to 74% in companies with over 500 employees, as a recent survey revealed.
"Companies and their employees can both benefit from well-organized hybrid working models that allow for remote work," noted Ralf Wintergerst, President of Bitkom. Offering the chance to work from home can be a make-or-break factor in the tight labor market, and most companies surveyed seem to agree— 57% believe that companies without remote work options might struggle to attract top talent.
Nearly half of the surveyed companies (46%) believe that recalling employees to the office is largely about phasing out lackadaisical workers. Despite a clear majority of two-thirds (67%) fearingthat remote work may deter team cohesion, 44% also acknowledge improved productivity when employees work from home compared to in the office.
"The recent home office discussions are now being viewed more quietly within companies," explained Wintergerst. "41% believe it's acceptable if employees attend to personal matters during remote work hours. Flexible working hours not only help balance work and personal life but often boost productivity and improve outcomes."
Bitkom surveyed 602 firms with 20 or more employees for this study in March and April of the current year. The survey is said to be representative, according to Bitkom.
- Germany
- Bitkom
- Ralf Wintergerst
- Labor market
As cities like Munich show a slowing increase in vacancy rates with an optimistic outlook thanks to larger leasing requests, it's evident that some firms are actively seeking physical space to accommodate on-site work again. Economic recovery signals, the value of quality office spaces in strategic locations, and the need for improved collaboration seem to be driving the trend of re-incorporating office work [1][2].
While opinions differ, there's a consensus that the benefits and challenges of remote work must be carefully considered. The move toward hybrid models is aimed at protecting employee wellness and maintaining business efficiency [1][2][3].
[1] - Economic data, trends in office space leasing, and their implications for the office market in Germany[2] - Current sentiments about remote work among large companies, and the role of companies like Bitkom in shaping industry opinions[3] - Insights into employee preferences for boundaries between work and personal life and the impact on hybrid or fully remote work models.
- In the German labor market, one in five enterprises has, after a period of home office, again decided to abolish remote work, according to a recent Bitkom survey.
- Ralf Wintergerst, President of Bitkom, argues that flexible working models, which allow for remote work, can benefit both companies and employees, improving workplace-wellness and productivity.
- Despite the concerns about decreased team cohesion, a significant number of companies acknowledge improved productivity when employees work from home compared to in the office.
- The move towards hybrid working models is not only driven by economic recovery signals and the value of quality office spaces, but also by the need to protect employee health-and-wellness and maintain business efficiency.
- As cities like Munich show a slowing increase in vacancy rates, it appears that some German firms are actively seeking physical space to accommodate on-site work, signaling a trend of re-incorporating office work.
