According to a recent report from EconPol, an economic policy platform of CESifo, Canada ranks first among countries offering work from home options to its employees. This report, titled “Working from Home Around the Globe: 2023 Report,” takes an in-depth look at global remote working trends. This result highlights the rapid and effective adoption of teleworking in Canada, a model that could have global implications.
The report is based on the Global Survey of Working Arrangements (G-SWA). This survey was conducted in 34 different countries and collected data from full-time employees aged 20 to 64 with at least secondary education. The data collected concerns the first half of 2023.
According to the report, working from home is more common in English-speaking countries. For example, full-time employees work an average of 1.4 full paid days per week from home in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. In comparison, work-from-home levels average just 0.7 days per week in the seven Asian countries covered by the survey, 0.8 in European countries, and 0.9 in some Latin and American countries. in South Africa.
Among the English-speaking countries covered by the survey, Canada takes first place with an average of 1.7 days of working from home per week. This figure could be attributed to various factors, such as government policy, business culture, or even the country’s expansive geography that makes commutes long and expensive.
The survey also highlights that while employees around the world want more work-from-home days, they recognize some benefits of working in the workplace. More than half of respondents (62%) indicated that face-to-face work promotes socialization with colleagues, while 54% believe that it allows for better collaboration. However, 60% of respondents said no commute was the biggest benefit of telecommuting, and 44% cited savings on gas and meal costs as one of the top benefits.
Canada stands out as a leader in workplace flexibility, which could serve as a model for other countries. However, it is crucial to find a balance between working from home and working in person, as both have advantages and disadvantages. The challenge will be to adapt policies and work practices to maximize benefits while minimizing harms, a lesson all countries could learn from the Canadian example.
