Does Working from Home Boost Productivity Growth?

Fernald, John G.; Goode, Ethan; Li, Huiyu; Meisenbacher, Brigid C.

Journal Article

Does Working from Home Boost Productivity Growth?

Abstract: An enduring consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is a notable shift toward remote and hybrid work. This has raised questions regarding whether the shift had a significant effect on the growth rate of U.S. productivity. Analyzing the relationship between GDP per hour growth and the ability to telework across industries shows that industries that are more adaptable to remote work did not experience a bigger decline or boost in productivity growth since 2020 than less adaptable industries. Thus, teleworking most likely has neither substantially held back nor boosted productivity growth.

Keywords: covid19; pandemic; remote work; productivity; GDP; productivity growth; telework;