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Here, There, and Everywhere: Remote Work’s Impact on Employment in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Ian Burn
  • Melissa D. Gentry
  • Joanna Lahey

Abstract

Remote work is often touted as a way for disabled and older workers to remain in the labour market. Post-Covid, the incidence of remote work has increased in the UK. Following Bloom et al. (2026), we test the effects of remote work on employment for these two groups using the pandemic’s increase in work from home rates as a quasi-experiment. We compare occupations with high growth in work from home (WFH) to those with lower growth in work from home, with growth rates measured among the non-disabled or younger. We then instrument using pre-pandemic remote work scores from Dingle and Neiman (2020). We find significant evidence that rising WFH increases employment of disabled and older workers in the UK. We additionally find decreases in commute time and wages for both groups, but no effect on hours worked.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Burn & Melissa D. Gentry & Joanna Lahey, 2026. "Here, There, and Everywhere: Remote Work’s Impact on Employment in the UK," NBER Working Papers 35791, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35791
    Note: AG CH EH LS PE
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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