Overview

• A study by the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung surveyed 5,000 workers and job seekers in Germany about perceptions of candidates who work remotely.
• Employees working from home three to four days a week received nearly 10% lower ratings for productivity and engagement compared to those in the office full-time.
• Childless workers and fathers with high remote work frequency were particularly subject to negative biases, while mothers with caregiving responsibilities faced less stigma.
• Stigmatization was less pronounced in workplaces where a majority of employees also worked remotely, highlighting the role of organizational norms.
• Experts recommend formalizing remote work policies, such as establishing a universal right to home office arrangements, to mitigate biases and ensure fairness.