Work from Home Study We Save Time but Work More

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A 2023 study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) delves into the changing dynamics of time utilization resulting from the widespread adoption of remote work in 27 countries. The research indicates that, on average, individuals working from home experience time savings of approximately 72 minutes daily by eliminating the commute. However, the study reveals significant disparities among countries, with China, Japan, and India reporting more substantial time savings of 102, 100, and 99 minutes, respectively.

Contrary to the expectation that individuals would allocate the saved time to personal activities, the study unveils a surprising trend. On average, 40% of the saved time is redirected toward work-related activities, encompassing both the primary job and additional employment. Notably, countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan report utilizing more than half of the saved time for work-related tasks.

The remaining portion of the extra time is distributed across various categories. Approximately 34% is allocated to leisure activities, with Germany and Austria standing out as leaders in leisure utilization, dedicating almost half of the additional time to free activities. Moreover, 11% of the saved time, equivalent to approximately eight minutes per day, is spent on caregiving responsibilities, primarily focusing on children or other family members. The study underscores the dual impact of remote work, benefiting both employees and employers, with the latter gaining additional work hours from their workforce.

Questions

1- What surprising trend did the study reveal regarding the allocation of saved time?

2- Which two countries stand out as leaders in leisure utilization, allocating almost half of the additional time to free activities?

3- What dual impact of remote work does the study emphasize?

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You have completed the comprehension questions. 

Parts of this lesson are based on: An article Engoo Daily News.