Are we working from home or office? Insights from Australia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing office occupancy and the broader implications for workplace dynamics in Australia in the post-pandemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on industry insights, research data and expert opinions on remote work and office attendance to explain post-pandemic trends.

Findings

The paper finds that average office occupancy reached 71% of pre-pandemic levels in Q3 2023, indicating a significant rebound from earlier downturns. This can be explained by factors such as improved vaccination rates, clearer return-to-office policies by large corporations and a greater understanding of the virus.

Originality/value

This paper offers valuable insights on the implications of physical, hybrid and remote work highlighting the growing recognition of the importance of physical workspace in fostering collaboration, innovation and organisational culture. It also brings together evidence of the impact of flexible options that may support greater social and environmental sustainability.

Citation

Tenakwah, E.S. and Watson, C. (2024), "Are we working from home or office? Insights from Australia", Strategic HR Review, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-03-2024-0017