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New Study Shows 38% Of Remote Workers Work From Bed

Image Credit: iStock Images, dusanpetkovic

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If you’re reading this newsletter while working from home, chances are pretty high you’re sitting or lounging in bed. That’s not an accusation, it’s just statistics!

According to a new survey of 1,520 remote-working Americans, 38% admit to regularly working from bed. But the survey also revealed that for many, the work-from-home lifestyle isn’t as comfortable as it sounds.

From Corner Office To Couch Office

While 91% of remote workers said they made an effort to improve their home workspace and 90% spent money to do so (with outlays on upgrades averaging $282), only 32% claimed to work in a “proper” home office and 71% said they’re “improvising” their workspace.

Swapping a desk and swivel chair for a mattress and a few fluffy pillows is just one of the many makeshift home office solutions remote workers have employed:

  • According to the survey, 45% of remote workers admit to regularly working from the couch, while 20% regularly work outside and another 19% from a closet (not our preference). And just over two-thirds of employees have admitted to working from bed at some point in the pandemic.
  • 57% of remote workers have bought a new chair and 51% a new desk. And to freshen up the environment for all those Zoom meetings, 30% of respondents bought house plants, 27% bought a webcam, 26% purchased wall art, books, or décor, and 12% picked up an elegant face-flattering ring light.

For some particulars on industries employing the most leisure-seekers: 72% of accountants, 73% of engineers, and 80% of real estate employees have admitted to working from bed.

The Pains Of WFH: Working from bed or the couch sounds soothing, right? Not so, according to survey respondents. 81% of remote workers say their home office setup spurs weekly issues of pain and discomfort, while 50% say the pain is so bad they’d actually prefer the office to working from home.