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Work from Home & Productivity: Evidence from Personnel & Analytics Data on IT Professionals

Author

Listed:
  • Gibbs, Michael

    (University of Chicago)

  • Mengel, Friederike

    (University of Essex)

  • Siemroth, Christoph

    (University of Essex)

Abstract

Using personnel and analytics data from over 10,000 skilled professionals at a large Asian IT services company, we compare productivity before and during the work from home [WFH] period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Total hours worked increased by roughly 30%, including a rise of 18% in working after normal business hours. Average output did not significantly change. Therefore, productivity fell by about 20%. Time spent on coordination activities and meetings increased, but uninterrupted work hours shrank considerably. Employees also spent less time networking, and received less coaching and 1:1 meetings with supervisors. These findings suggest that communication and coordination costs increased substantially during WFH, and constituted an important source of the decline in productivity. Employees with children living at home increased hours worked more than those without children at home, and suffered a bigger decline in productivity than those without children.

Suggested Citation

  • Gibbs, Michael & Mengel, Friederike & Siemroth, Christoph, 2021. "Work from Home & Productivity: Evidence from Personnel & Analytics Data on IT Professionals," IZA Discussion Papers 14336, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    collaboration; COVID-19; pandemic; productivity; remote working; telecommuting; work hours; working from home; work time;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • M5 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics

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