VoxTalks Economics S8 Ep36: Davis: Will working from home stick?
Jul 16, 2025
Steve Davis, an expert from the Hoover Institution and SIEPR, dives into the shifts in work patterns post-pandemic. He contrasts the pre-Covid stigma of remote work with its current acceptance and discusses how hybrid models are reshaping employee preferences. Davis highlights the demographic changes fueled by the flexibility in work arrangements and the implications for job security. He also addresses management challenges in maintaining team dynamics remotely and emphasizes the need for strong communication skills as the labor market adapts.
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Pre-pandemic Remote Work Stigma
- Before the pandemic, working from home was very rare and stigmatized.
- Many viewed remote work as shirking, despite some jobs allowing it.
Hybrid Work Preferences Rise
- Most people want to continue working from home at least one or two days a week.
- Preferences vary, but hybrid work has become popular post-pandemic.
Rollback of Remote Work Overstated
- Media stories about rolling back work from home are exaggerated.
- Most companies shifted to hybrid rather than full return to office, with policies often softened over time.