A survey of 6,000 Australian workers has found 39 per cent of those surveyed would be happy to continue working from home some of the time - even when the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Universities and the Community and Public Sector Union conducted the survey with members about their experience of work during the pandemic.
The CPSU survey, led by researchers at the CQ University and the University of NSW, gauged the opinions of public servants across Australia.
Only 11 per cent of those surveyed wanted to work from home all the time, 39 per cent some of the time, 30 per cent most of the time, and 14 per cent only on occasion.
Better work-life balance was cited by 82 per cent respondents who appreciated the extra time for themselves and their family.
Fifty-six per cent said working from home also helped them undertake caring responsibilities.
But Dr Sue Williamson, a senior lecturer in human resource management at UNSW and one of the authors of the report, said working from home highlighted that caring responsibilities largely still fell to women.
"Some of the research shows that women still undertake the majority of caring," she said. "They are doing a double shift still, and they're picking up caring responsibilities, they are doing the home schooling.
"So working from home has the potential to increase gender inequality in terms of work and family and domestic responsibility.”
But Dr Williamson said men were also taking more responsibility.
In a survey of 6000 employees, 39 per cent said they would be happy to continue working from home some of the time. Source: Press Association
“Our research shows men are also engaging in home activities and taking on caring responsibilities," she said. "So it could also be beneficial for gender equality, but this is an area that needs more research."
The survey only covered those working in the public sector.
Other research released by Roy Morgan in June showed over 4.3 million people, or about 32 per cent of working Australians across all sectors, had been working from home since the pandemic shut down large parts of the Australian economy earlier this year.
Dr Williamson said while the survey revealed 56 per cent of people were more productive working from home, respondents also reported working longer hours.
"Over a quarter of respondents said their hours had increased and their workload had increased," she said. "While we know there was a big surge in workload because of COVID, especially for public servants, this is something that employers and organisations will need to keep an eye."
Working from home isn't an option for everyone - for example, few of those working in industries such as retail, agriculture, transport and storage can do so.
For many small businesses, it's simply not an option.
Chief executive of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, Peter Strong, said while there are benefits and negatives for both employers and employees, both sides should remain flexible.
“Working from home has its good points, but there is an issue about whether everybody likes to work from home," he said. "I think we need to have a look at these surveys and say hang on, wait a minute, will you be happy working from home for the next 12 months?”
Mr Strong said not everyone was suited to working from home.
“Being at home by yourself, even if you are the biggest introvert in the world, can get quite lonely," he said. "They are just some of the considerations we have to look at as we look at the way the world is changing, and the way the world of work is changing."
Twenty-six per cent of survey respondents said they had responsibility for managing staff with 91 per cent of managers saying their staff were more productive or as productive working from home. Thirty-seven per cent said they were more likely to approve working from home after the pandemic.
CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly said the survey showed the public sector had been able to do its job very effectively, with the current arrangements acting as a catalyst that could inform future change.
"What the last few months in the public sector show is that we should be able trust workers to work in these arrangements," she said. "In fact, the research shows that people are more productive and we should have trust in our workforce."
"It should not be something that is seen only for certain workers or something that managers actively encourage against."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at .
