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. 2022 Jun;10(2):1118-1131.
doi: 10.1016/j.cstp.2022.04.002. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Work from home in the post-COVID world

Xiaoqiang Kong  1 , Amy Zhang  2 , Xiao Xiao  1 , Subasish Das  3 , Yunlong Zhang  1
Affiliations

Work from home in the post-COVID world

Xiaoqiang Kong et al. Case Stud Transp Policy. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

The working standard of shared office spaces has evolved in recent years. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have instituted work from home (WFH) policies in accordance with public health guidelines in order to increase social distancing and decrease the spread of COVID-19. As the pandemic and WFH-related policies have continued for more than a year, there has been a rise in people becoming accustomed to the remote environments; however, others are more enthusiastic about returning to in-person work environments, reflecting the desire to restore pre-pandemic environments. As working from home is related to transportation issues such as changing commuting patterns and decreased congestion, motorized trips, and emission, there is a need to explore the extent of public attitudes on this important issue. This study used unique open-source survey data that provides substantial information on this topic. Using an advanced categorical data analysis method known as cluster correspondence analysis, this study identified several key findings. Not having prior WFH experiences, being eager to interact with colleagues, difficulties with adapting to virtual meeting technologies, and challenges with self-discipline while WFH were strongly associated with individuals who refused to continuously WFH at all after the pandemic. Individuals holding a strong view against the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic were also largely associated with never choosing WFH during and after the pandemic. For individuals with some prior WFH experiences, the transition to WFH every day in response to the outbreak was much easier, compared to those without prior experiences. Moreover, being forced to WFH during the COVID-19 pandemic positively influences the choice of WFH after the pandemic. The findings of this study will be beneficial to help policymakers and sustainable city planners understand public opinions about WFH.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Work from home.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the research conducted in this study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Cluster CA biplot of first two dimensions.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Bar plot of Cluster 1 (C1).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Bar plot of cluster 2 (C2).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Bar plot of cluster 3 (C3).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Bar plot of cluster 4 (C4).
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Bar plot of cluster 5 (C5).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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