A new study from Finland has highlighted the uneven effects of remote working on employees, showing that fathers benefit significantly more from the arrangement than childless men, who often struggle with reduced social interaction and a weaker sense of community.
Work-life balance improves mainly for parents
The study, conducted over one year by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, analysed the impact of remote work on different employee groups. It found that while remote working can generally lighten workloads and improve work-life balance, these advantages are not evenly distributed.
Fathers, in particular, reported the most positive outcomes. According to senior researcher Janne Kaltiainen, the opportunity to spend more time with their children appears to be a key factor behind the increased wellbeing among men with children. By contrast, childless men were more likely to feel the loss of workplace community.
These findings resonate with recent trends observed in Denmark, where the City of Copenhagen has released reports evaluating the societal effects of greater workplace flexibility. NordiskPost has previously covered how Danish policies aim to promote work-life balance through flexible arrangements, highlighting both their advantages and challenges.
Childless men miss community, social contact
One of the study’s central findings is that childless male employees tend to experience greater isolation when working remotely. The lack of face-to-face encounters, informal exchanges and spontaneous interactions with colleagues has a measurable impact on their wellbeing.
Kaltiainen noted that while the downsides of remote work are relatively similar across groups, the positive effects are less equally shared. For men without children, the absence of workplace interaction seems to weigh more heavily.
Independent workers benefit, collaborative roles struggle
The study also found that independent workers tend to adapt better to remote settings. These employees reported experiencing lower workloads and fewer conflicting expectations.
However, those in roles requiring teamwork, coordination, or frequent information sharing reported more difficulties. The lack of immediate access to colleagues can slow down processes and lead to miscommunication.
Challenges for supervisors in remote settings
Supervisors also face significant challenges in managing remote teams. Researcher Sampo Suutala emphasised that the absence of informal conversations makes it harder for managers to understand the emotional and practical needs of their teams.
“In remote management, it is easy to miss small hints and informal conversations in everyday life. This makes it more difficult for the supervisor to get to know their team,” Suutala said.
The report encourages workplaces to create environments where employees feel empowered to raise concerns, helping to mitigate the distance introduced by digital communication.
