According to a study, working from home has become established in Germany even after the end of the Corona-related home office obligation.

Among full-time employees, working from home has leveled off at an average of 1.4 days per week, according to a study by the Munich Ifo Institute published on Friday.

In neighboring France it is 1.3, in the USA 1.6 and in Japan 1.1 days.

Corona has thus permanently changed working conditions.

"Never before has any event turned working life upside down in such a short time," said study author Mathias Dolls.

The traditional skepticism about working from home has therefore decreased.

More than half of the employees surveyed say they are more productive at home than they expected.

The more positive employees assessed their productivity in relation to their previous expectations, the more home office days employers offer.

This connection applies in all 27 countries examined.

In addition, more home office days were offered the harder the lockdowns were during the corona pandemic.

The employees no longer want to do without the opportunity to work from home.

According to the study, 26 percent would look for a new job if their employer only offered face-to-face work.

In fact, studies in the US have shown that more than 40 percent of current homeworkers there would look for a new job if their employer required a full return to the office.

This trend could have far-reaching consequences, says Dolls - for example for the organization of work in companies and their ability to innovate or for cities.

"If older and wealthier workers migrate to the suburbs, rents could fall in some cities," the expert said.

"This in turn makes it easier for young workers to live there and benefit from the networking opportunities."