Study Finds No Impact on Government Efficiency from Remote Work (Swedish)
riksrevisionen.se
riksrevisionen.se
The possibility of working remotely has not had any tangible impact on whether the authorities' activities are conducted efficiently - neither positive nor negative. At least not in the short term, the National Audit Office's review shows.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, many government agencies today offer their employees the opportunity to work remotely. In 2023, approximately 60 percent of government employees worked at home at least one day a week.
The National Audit Office has examined whether the possibility for employees to work remotely contributes to the authorities' operations being conducted efficiently. The overall assessment is that this opportunity had no tangible impact - neither positive nor negative.
However, the review highlights a number of consequences that the authorities need to pay attention to and deal with.
For example, remote work has led to several positive consequences for the work environment. Employees appreciate the improved balance between private and work life and the possibility of flexibility that telecommuting contributes to.
The changeover has also contributed to developing the authorities' digital working methods, which saves time and resources. Remote work has also provided better conditions for recruiting and retaining staff, for example by recruiting from a larger geographical area.
At the same time, remote work has had certain negative consequences. The biggest concerns that several social aspects have been negatively affected, for example collaboration, collegial learning and the sense of community. Remote work has also led to challenges for managers to lead their employees and to recognize their need for support.