In recent times, many people are opting for remote work, either from the comfort of their own homes or in cafes. However, a significant proportion still needs to physically go to the office. So, which work setup yields higher productivity for employees? A study conducted by the University of Iowa in the United States provides some answers.
In this study, researchers at the university tracked 219 hybrid office employees from the same company over the course of a week and compared their productivity levels while working from home versus working in the office.
The research found that compared to working in the office, these employees exhibited higher work efficiency while working from home. They made greater progress towards work goals and worked at a faster pace. Moreover, the more frequently they worked from home, the greater the improvement in their work efficiency.
Researchers asked these employees to record their energy levels every hour during the same five workdays. The results revealed that when they worked from home, their energy levels remained more stable throughout the day due to fewer interruptions, allowing them to more easily manage their work schedules.
In contrast, when working in the office, facing numerous interruptions (such as colleagues approaching for work-related matters) led to greater fluctuations in their energy levels.
The researchers noted that compared to days working in the office, employees experienced a 33% reduction in energy fluctuations while working from home. For each 1% decrease in energy fluctuations, there was a 26% increase in progress towards achieving work goals, highlighting significant effects.
One of the authors of the study report, Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the university Emily Campion, explained that whether working from home, a cafe, or other non-office spaces, individuals have greater control over what interrupts them. They can choose to ignore emails or turn off instant notifications to engage in deeper and more focused work.
The study pointed out that the nature of interruptions differs between working from home and working in the office. While disruptions at home may involve household chores or soothing a pet, workplace interruptions, such as colleague interruptions, nearby noises, or challenging commutes, require more energy to navigate.
Campion suggested that employers should consider adopting hybrid office models to enhance workplace productivity.
Mount Royal University’s Professor of Innovation and Marketing David J Finch and Professor of Human Resources and Academic Director Christian Cook wrote in The Conversation website, referring to a 2024 study that shows hybrid office models can increase employee retention rates without sacrificing performance.
However, not all employees can equally benefit from these advantages. For young employees at early career stages, remote work or hybrid office models may be particularly challenging because their career development heavily relies on learning from experienced colleagues.
Young employees also seem to highly value career development opportunities and guidance from senior colleagues. A Gallup survey in 2025 found that only 23% of Generation Z employees, who have remote work conditions, prefer entirely remote work, while in older generations, this figure is 35%.
Similarly, a 2025 Deloitte survey showed that half of the surveyed Generation Z individuals wished for a mentor, but only 36% believed they actually received such guidance. This mismatch may lead to a pressing need for flexible work and learning opportunities.
However, employees need to accumulate experience somewhere. If employers predominantly hire individuals who already possess the required skills rather than nurturing these skills internally, young employees face reduced opportunities to gain cumulative experience.
In conclusion, these scholars emphasized that hybrid office models allow many experienced employees to autonomously manage their time. While maintaining this flexibility, it is crucial not to sacrifice the career development paths of the younger generation.