Many workers could work in the home office

The first easing for the Swiss economy should come towards the end of April. To estimate future commuter flows, it would be useful to know to what extent homework is still possible. A new study from the USA provides clues.

The A word is fashionable. A stands for “exit scenarios”. Since the Federal Council announced a week ago that there could be gradual easing from the currently iron Corona regime from April 27, business representatives, politicians and economists have been outbid with ideas for the “intelligent” exit. One principle is clear: First you loosen where the benefits for the economy and society are greatest compared to the risk of triggering a second wave of viruses.

Unfortunately, the effects of the individual easing can hardly be predicted conclusively, which is why a second principle seems to have a broad succession: You loosen gradually and decide on further measures based on the latest data traces.

Many business representatives would like to quickly alleviate the restrictions on economic activity. A possible principle for a somewhat “smooth” transition in the mobility of workers: Those who can work from home continue to do so for the time being, leaving commuters who do not have this option more space in public transport.

Two American researchers are now guessing in a new one study for the US economy based on surveys and labor market statistics that about 37% of the workforce could, in principle, “plausibly” work from home. Well-paid jobs tend to be above average “suitable for homework”. The examples mentioned include many jobs in the IT, legal advice and entertainment sectors as well as certain management functions. On the other hand, homework is out of the question, for example, for many jobs in the construction sector, in the hospitality industry and for cleaning staff.

In Switzerland too, some things can be done from home, as many professionals now prove. In contrast, in a “normal” year (2018), people in Germany worked loudly Survey the federal statistician only about 5% of the workforce at home during more than half of their working hours. After all, in 2018 around a third of all employees worked at least “occasionally” from home.