Working from home has found many supporters during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a representative survey of 1,000 working people in North Rhine-Westphalia, 57% of respondents can imagine working from home at least half of the time in the future, as reported by the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit in Düsseldorf.

According to the survey, the proportion of people who do their office work from home has tripled during the pandemic. While only 15% worked from home several times a week before the coronavirus crisis, the study found that almost one in two respondents regularly worked from home during the first and second waves of the pandemic. The data was collected before the start of the pandemic and in spring 2020 and February 2021.

85% of the men and women surveyed who were working from home felt that tasks that were basically suitable for them could be completed just as well here as at their normal workplace in the company. Six out of ten participants even felt that they were more productive and found work more pleasant than in the office, according to the study commissioned by DAK.

No clear separation between professional and private life

According to the survey, the time saved by not having to travel to work is appreciated (74%). A better work-life balance (85%) and the more targeted distribution of tasks throughout the day (63%) were also cited as plus points. However, in the survey in February 2021, 78% also said that direct contact with colleagues was missing and that there was a lack of clear separation between work and private life when working from home.

According to the study, the majority of people rate their ability to work from home as good. "They give their working day a clear time structure, set clear start and end times, arrange breaks and maintain personal contact with their team virtually," explained the health insurance company in a statement. However, it is more difficult for those affected if they also have to look after children at the same time as working. 20% said that even if it wasn't necessary, they consciously put on clothes that they would also wear in the office.

Disadvantage weight gain

The obligation to work from home stipulated in the Corona Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance ends on July 1. Klaus Overdiek, head of the regional office of DAK-Gesundheit in North Rhine-Westphalia, said that working from home has established itself in the world of work. According to the study, the disadvantages are lack of exercise and weight gain. "Working from home turns many people into couch potatoes," explained Overdiek. DAK is the third-largest statutory health insurance provider in Germany and has 5.6 million policyholders, over one million of whom live in NRW.