Four out of ten workers in Denmark have engaged in remote work over past month

Many employees are opting to work from home multiple times a week, with four out of ten workers in Denmark having engaged in remote work over the past month, according to recent statistics. This marks a return to the highest rates of remote work seen during the pandemic. However, the number of hours worked from home in the second quarter is still lower than during the peak periods of COVID-19, when employees were home every day.

Both employers and unions are expressing optimism about the trends. Pernille Erichsen, a deputy director at Dansk Industri, emphasizes that the pandemic has fostered greater trust between employers and employees, which has not diminished productivity. Bella Lea Buono from the Djøf union, which represents social science professionals, concurs, highlighting that working from home offers increased flexibility for many members.

Despite these advantages, challenges persist, particularly for new graduates. Buono reports that some members feel a disconnect from their workplace and colleagues, often stemming from isolation when working from small apartments. To address this, she advocates for ongoing discussions to create community-building opportunities, such as social events, either in-person or virtual.

Erichsen also notes potential drawbacks to increased remote work, specifically diminishing loyalty among employees. The flexibility of working from home can lead to weaker ties with colleagues, resulting in less collaboration and knowledge sharing. This disconnect may prompt employees to seek other job opportunities more quickly, complicating retention efforts in the workplace.