Life After COVID-19: What if We Never go Back to the Office?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial increase in the use of remote work for occupations where this modality is feasible. This paper speculates on the likely outcome of this unplanned experiment by asking what might happen if we never go back to the office. I predict that: (1) managers will find an adjustment to permanent remote work difficult, (2) some tasks will become increasingly difficult to perform, (3) female employees will suffer, (4) many employees will respond positively to doing away with the office, but this response will be far from universal, and (5) organizations will thrive, particularly organizations that are already rich and powerful.