According to some economists, Elon Musk is wrong about telecommuting

On the social network Twitter, in June, Elon Musk wrote that anyone wishing to work remotely “should go to another company to pretend to work,” discrediting telecommuting. Musk’s comment came after an email that was supposed to be sent to Tesla workers began circulating online, in which the leader said that “remote work is no longer acceptable” at the company known for making self-driving cars. It decreed that each employee should spend at least 40 hours a week in the office.

Musk’s statements were a slogan for interested in trade To question three economists about whether this system of work is in fact less demanding and more productive.

Natasha Postel Vinay, an economic and financial historian at the London School of Economics, notes that “most evidence shows productivity increases when people stay home.” “People spend less time commuting, which allows them to use some of that time at work, and they also spend more time with family and sleeping, which means they are happier and end up being more productive,” he adds.

“Time spent in the office is different from working hard,” explains Albrecht Richel, a professor of economic history, noting that telecommuting has reduced time spent in “meaningless meetings.”

According to Almarina Gramozi, professor of economics at King’s College London, there are several studies – particularly in the US and UK – that have come to the conclusion that workers were at least as productive at home as they were in the office.

Although productivity is sometimes low, this does not necessarily mean that people are running away from work either. One reason may be related to the fact that during the pandemic, people with children at home have been forced to divide their attention between work and the childcare they need, which has led to a drop in productivity, as Bustle Vinay and Rachel explain. .

Gramozi also adds that productivity does not depend exclusively on employees. He asserts that “productivity levels are highly dependent on the support provided by superiors, adaptation to technology and the type of work that can be done remotely in an easy way.”