The Great Work from Home Divide

Work from home (WFH) increased from 7-percent in 2019 to 28-percent in January 2024. This expansion has been uneven across industries, occupations, demographic groups, and locations. The uneven expansion raises questions about its economic, social, and policy ramifications. Economist Nick Bloom will investigate why the shift to WFH persists even after the end of social distancing mandates and how the effects of WFH on worker wellbeing, productivity, and other labor market outcomes vary across groups. He will analyze data from the Survey of Work Arrangements and Attitudes for his study.