Column Science & Society

Remote workers feel isolated. Back-to-office mandates are not a fix

“The right lesson is not ‘everyone back to the office’ but ‘design work better.’”

By Sujata Gupta

Social Sciences Writer

A man stands among a sea of empty desks in an office.

Remote and hybrid work arrangements can lead to social isolation, such as when workers show up to empty offices. Social coordination across employees is key.

Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/Getty Images Plus

Remote work in the United States has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. In 2019, the percentage of days people worked from home accounted for just 7 percent of all workdays; by 2023, that figure had quadrupled to 28 percent.