Overview

• A Bitkom survey reveals that 20% of German companies have abolished remote work, with 15% planning further reductions, despite 58% still offering some home office options.
• University of Konstanz research highlights health risks like exhaustion linked to enforced office returns, sparking concerns about employee well-being.
• Workers dissatisfied with return-to-office mandates are employing subtle resistance tactics, including intentional slowdowns and productivity-mitigation strategies.
• Employers are divided: 67% fear remote work erodes team cohesion, while 44% believe it enhances productivity, reflecting a broader debate over hybrid models.
• Remote work remains a key factor in talent retention, with 57% of surveyed companies acknowledging the difficulty of attracting skilled employees without flexible options.