Environics Institute, in partnership with our colleagues at the Diversity Institute, has carried out a survey to evaluate how Canadians of all backgrounds have been affected by, and are coping with, the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“Many are managing to work from home,” the survey shows, “but parents of young children, newcomers and young workers face greater challenges.” Work at home or live at work: The complexities of new working arrangements looks closer at the data.

As millions of Canadians embark on a second year of working from home in the pandemic, a new Environics Institute, external link survey reveals that the advantages it offers are spread unevenly throughout the workforce. According to survey results, remote work has been more common among office and clerical workers, professionals and executives. People working in sales, services, trades, transportation and labour were less likely or unable to work from home. 

Key Findingss: 

• More than three out of five people say working from home is easier than they expected, with the same number liking it better and find it less stressful than doing so at their usual workplace.
• Two out of five expressed concerns about juggling work and family responsibilities while working from home. They feel like they are constantly working with no time for themselves or their families. One in three respondents said they find it impossible to do their jobs well from home.
• Three in five of those with young children say that while working from home, they feel that they cannot simultaneously be good parents and good workers or employees.
• Some worry that working from home will negatively impact their career. Young workers aged 18 to 24 (48%), immigrants (44%) (including 60% or recent immigrants), racialized workers (46%), and Indigenous workers (60%) are all more likely than average to express this concern.
• Many of those experiencing challenges while working from home still feel positive about the arrangement overall. Despite some downsides, seven in ten people working from home say that once the pandemic is over, their employer should show flexibility and allow them to continue working remotely at least a few days a week.

To read more, visit Ryerson University website here.

About Environics Institute
The Environics Institute for Survey Research was established by Michael Adams in 2006 to promote relevant and original public opinion and social research on important issues of public policy and social change.

About Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute
The Diversity Institute conducts and coordinates multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder research to create practical strategies to advance skills and employment opportunities for women, racialized people, newcomers, Indigenous people, persons living with disabilities and others. The Diversity Institute is home to unique programs such as the Advanced Digital and Professional Training Program as well as the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub aimed at building an inclusive innovation ecosystem.