Stanford University Telecommuting Study

The Stanford University Telecommuting Study was a research project conducted in 2013-2014 that examined how working from home affects employees and companies. It involved a large tech company (Yahoo) temporarily halting remote work to compare productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction between those working remotely and those onsite. The study found that, in this case, returning to office work increased collaboration and innovation. However, in broader contexts, other studies suggest remote work can improve productivity and work-life balance. The findings highlight that the effects of telecommuting depend on industry, company culture, and job role.