Survey Shows ‘7 In 10’ Black Americans Say Return To Office Has Boosted Productivity – But Is it True?
According to a survey by ResumeBuilder.com, 72% of Black Americans feel that going back to the office has improved their productivity. Nevertheless, the majority (65%) said they prefer to work from the office less frequently.
The Return to Office
Some companies and businesses in the US are allowing their employees to continue working from home following the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there has been an increase in companies requiring workers to return to the office.
In June, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,500 full-time, corporate workers and found that 85% of workers go to the office at least once a week, and 63% claim doing so has boosted their productivity.
Black Americans were especially likely (72%) to report a boost in productivity, with nearly half of those surveyed (47%) saying they are “much more productive” since returning to the office.
They cited more efficient teamwork as the top reason for these improvements, compared to what they would have working from home.
Why some workers still prefer working from home
However, the return to the office has not been a positive experience for everyone. The survey found that 13% of workers felt the return to the office worsened their productivity. Some 1 in 4 survey respondents say the dip in productivity stemmed from resenting their employer for forcing a return to the office.
Among Black workers, 11% claimed their productivity had worsened due to stress and more difficulty maintaining work/life balance.
In 2021, 97% of Black knowledge workers reported not being ready to return to the office, with the home becoming a refuge from racism, crude jokes, and office politics. Many Black workers reported a reluctance to return to the office where they would have to speak out against microaggressions or an environment that lacked commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Black Girl Nerds also noted that Black women face disproportionately high barriers in the workplace. As such, working from home means dealing with fewer social obligations and microaggressions, plus more freedom to be yourself. A study in Time magazine found that 30% of white men wanted to return to a traditional office setting, in contrast to 22% of women (Black women included) wanting to return.
Finding the right balance
While the majority of Black workers reported that returning to the office boosted their productivity, most (65%) said they would like to work in the office less frequently.
However, one in four said this stems from resentment towards their employer for forced return, and 68% said they work like to work in the office but less frequently.
“It’s important to note that productivity and work preferences can vary among individuals,” says Eric Jones, CEO of Couture Candy.
“Some people thrive in remote work environments, while others may find an office’s structure and social dynamics more conducive to productivity. It’s about finding the right balance and background that works best for each individual and their job requirements.
