Around the world, millions of people have faced massive disruptions to limit the spread of COVID-19. And despite that effort, millions have died as the world tries to grapple with this devastating pandemic. While New Zealanders were in various lockdowns, many had new opportunities to work from home. The research also highlights issues preventing people from adopting flexible working more frequently.

More New Zealanders are working from home

Perhaps unsurprisingly given 2020’s COVID-19 lockdowns, there's an increase in the frequency people work from home.

In total

60% of participants said their work could be done from home if needed.
51% of those participants would like to be able to work from home more frequently in the future.

Frequency of working from home over time

2020
2019
2018

New Zealanders want to work from home more frequently

Of the 60% who said their work could be done from home if needed, there is a significant desire to work from home more frequently across the spectrum.

Current frequency vs desire to work from home more often

What's getting in the way of more flexible working?

The three main reasons preventing people from working from home more often are: having too many meetings necessitating them physically being at work, not having flexible working conditions and not having a fast enough home Internet.

Roadblocks to flexible working

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