(Bloomberg). Remote work is here for the long-term, and new U.S. government data shows how it can exacerbate inequalities. 

A Bureau of Labor Statistics study of early-to-mid 40s working in telecommuting found that there was a sharp difference in the abilities of teleworkers based on race and educational level.

Nearly half the White workers worked at home, at least partially, during the survey period from February 2021 to May 2021. This compares with 38% for Black workers.

At the height of the Covid-19 crisis, remote work saved many jobs and provided workers with opportunities to search for new employment elsewhere. This trend will continue after the pandemic. McKinsey Consulting estimates that between 20% and 25% of advanced economy workers could be working remotely for 3 to 5 days per week.

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In the BLS survey, more than two-thirds of college-educated workers with at least a bachelor’s degree worked from home part-time or full-time, compared with about one in six of those who have less than a high-school diploma.

The data show that women, still largely responsible for child care, are more inclined to work from home than their male counterparts.

Overall, 21% reported that they were partially able to work from home while 25% said they could only do full-time remote jobs. 

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