Working from home 

The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for change. With public health restrictions sending people home, many industries adapted quickly and the option to work from home at least part of the workweek became the norm. By 2025, we see many employers resisting this change. Why? I'd focus on what's required of managers: It requires thinking strategically when it comes to mentoring and training employees, identifying when collaboration is beneficial, and organizing the workflow around varied schedules. The option to work from home clearly benefits employees and creates many opportunities - especially for parents and people with disabilities.

Some literature and statistics:

• I prepared a brief for the C.D. Howe Institute in 2024: Settling into a New Normal? Working from Home across Canada. You can find some statistics to describe the portion within industries, by region, parental status, etc. 

https://cdhowe.org/publication/settling-new-normal-working-home-across-canada/

• NBER Working paper no. 34147.  Has the Rise of Work from Home Reduced the Motherhood Penalty in the Labor Market? by Emma Harrington  & Matthew E. Kahn 

  https://www.nber.org/papers/w34147 

Interviews and miscellany

• Globel and Mail, Jason Kirby, January 11, 2025. Charts to watch for 2025. Work-from-home truths. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-decoding-2025-jobs-and-incomes/