Remote work firmly established in Europe’s office imaging sector
August 23, 2024
Hybrid work becomes the norm in Europe, with remote options firmly established post-pandemic.
The trend of working from home (WFH) has become a lasting feature of the European labour market, with the office imaging sector being a notable example. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of WFH practices, the model has now solidified, particularly in Northern and Western Europe.
WFH is well-supported by robust digital infrastructure and flexible labour laws in countries like Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands. Conversely, Southern and Eastern European nations, such as Italy and Poland, lag, hindered by cultural preferences for in-person work and less developed digital capabilities.
The hybrid work model, where employees split their time between home and office, has emerged as a dominant trend. For example, in the office imaging sector, industry insiders like The Recycler report that WFH is deeply embedded, with all of their team working remotely full time.
Supporting this trend, a recent report from the ZEW (Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research) reveals that many German companies plan to maintain home office arrangements even post-pandemic. The study highlights how businesses have adapted to remote work, seeing it as beneficial for flexibility and productivity. Although there might be a slight reduction in remote workdays compared to the pandemic peak, home office options are expected to remain integral to Germany’s work culture.
European governments have responded by introducing policies to support remote work, including tax incentives and regulations to ensure work-life balance, such as France’s “right to disconnect” law. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the digital divide in less developed regions and concerns about employee mental health.
Younger generations entering the workforce seek greater flexibility, driving the shift toward hybrid and remote work models and is expected to continue, solidifying WFH as a permanent feature of Europe’s evolving work landscape.
Categories : World Focus
Tags : Business Europe Hybrid Work Office Remote Work Work-From-Home
