Remote work benefits not shared equally, Finnish study finds

HELSINKI, FINLAND — Remote work can boost well-being and lighten workloads, but not all employees benefit equally, according to new research from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. 

The “Engagement and Social Connections in Multi-location Work” project tracked 876 Finnish employees over a year, revealing that the advantages and drawbacks of remote work depend heavily on job roles and personal circumstances.

Trust and community take a hit

While remote work offers a quieter environment and greater flexibility, it can also erode trust and a sense of community.

“Remote work can undermine trust and the sense of community, as it reduces face-to-face encounters and positive interactions between colleagues,” said Janne Kaltiainen, Specialist Researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

The study found these disadvantages were common across employee groups, but the benefits of remote work were more unevenly distributed.

Independent workers gain most

Employees whose tasks are largely independent reported the greatest benefits, including lower workloads and fewer conflicting expectations. 

In contrast, those whose work relies on collaboration and information-sharing saw little relief from remote arrangements. 

“When deciding on the amount of remote work, in addition to individual wishes, the structures and dependencies of work as well as the perspective of the entire community should also be considered,” Kaltiainen emphasized.

Supervisors face unique challenges

The study highlighted that supervisors benefit less from remote work than their employees. Supervisors reported impaired on-the-job learning and found it harder to stay attuned to their teams. 

“When supervising remote work, it is easy to miss out on small hints and informal discussions. This makes it harder for the supervisor to get to know their team. It is important that workplaces encourage employees to take the initiative to raise issues,” noted researcher Sampo Suutala.

Family life: Men with children benefit most

Remote work’s effect on work-life balance varied. For men with children, remote work strengthened the positive interplay between work and family life. 

However, for men without children, the benefits were less clear, and no similar effect was found among women. 

“Remote work does not necessarily make everyday life easier or improve the work-life balance equally for everyone. One possible explanation may be that remote work increases the time spent with the family, especially among men with children, thus strengthening the positive mutual impacts of work and free time,” Kaltiainen explained.

Building better remote workplaces

The researchers recommended that employers foster community by arranging face-to-face interactions and agreeing on clear supervision practices. 

“Everyone has a role to play in building the work community,” the report concluded, suggesting that shared responsibility and open communication are key to making remote work more equitable.

The study will continue until September 2025, with more findings expected later this year.