During remote work, people are engaging in online shopping, driving billions in sales. While excessive shopping is detrimental to productivity, indulging in occasional purchases is acceptable. The flexibility of remote work allows for efficient use of time and the ability to punctuate the workday with enjoyable distractions. The line between work and personal life has blurred, giving individuals permission to engage in personal activities during work hours. Online spending peaks on Fridays, and the pandemic has led to a persistent rise in online shopping, resulting in an estimated $375 billion increase in spending. Retailers have noticed this trend and are strategically timing product drops and marketing emails to cater to online shoppers. The seductive nature of online shopping lies in the certainty and anticipation it brings, offering immediate gratification and a pleasurable experience.

Downtown restaurants have seen a decline in weekday lunch traffic due to remote and hybrid work, but they are making up for it with well-attended happy hours. Data shows that happy hour traffic is resilient and slightly above pre-pandemic levels, while weekday lunch traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels. Consumer behavior has shifted with remote work, leading to increased weekend restaurant spend. Downtowns in warmer regions have seen a surge in after-work activity, attracting visitors and shoppers.

A new report shows that telework has boosted federal employee morale after years of decline. The 2023 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings reveal increased engagement and job satisfaction rates, with telework opportunities influencing positive perspectives. The report also ranks federal workplaces based on size categories, with NASA leading as the top large agency. The prevalence of telework contributed to higher engagement scores, particularly among full-time teleworkers. However, some agencies experienced declines in scores, highlighting the importance of improving workplace conditions and recognizing employee contributions.

Hybrid working, which combines remote and in-office work, is being touted as the future of work. While it offers benefits such as flexibility and increased productivity, there are challenges to consider. Not all industries can adapt to this model, managing a hybrid workforce requires clear communication and trust, and there may be potential disparities and impact on corporate culture. The future of hybrid working is uncertain, and it's important to question the narrative and consider all aspects of this model.

New York City may be coming back to life, but midtown remains relatively sleepy. Estimates from Kastle suggest that office occupancy in the New York metro area is at 40 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article showing that some “homers”—those who eschew the office and prefer to work from home—have a secret: They have two jobs.

Starting March 1, China’s largest flight and hotel booking platform Trip.com will let employees work two days a week from home upon permission.

One recent survey from Slack suggested that as few as 12% of workers want to return to the office full-time; another from Citrix, looking at Millennials and Gen Z workers specifically, estimated that 51% wanted to remain working from home the bulk of the time.