Remote work in Wisconsin has undergone dramatic changes since its pandemic-era surge, revealing new patterns that impact workers, employers, and local economies. Recent findings highlight significant declines in remote work, shifts in office dynamics, and evolving preferences for hybrid models.
Remote Work Declines Across Wisconsin
Between 2021 and 2022, Wisconsin’s remote workforce shrank by 11%, dropping from 437,295 to 387,700 workers. Major cities like Madison and Milwaukee saw steeper reductions, with decreases of 22% and 19%, respectively. Despite this decline, Dane and Ozaukee counties maintain the highest remote work rates, with over 20% of workers operating from home. In contrast, counties such as Dodge, Rock, Manitowoc, and Sauk report remote work rates below 10%, highlighting regional disparities.
Who Works Remotely?
Demographic data shows women in Wisconsin are more likely to work remotely than men, with 16.6% of women working from home compared to 13.2% of men. This discrepancy is tied to the types of roles typically held by each gender, as women are more likely to occupy positions conducive to remote work.
Office Spaces and Surrounding Businesses
Even with fewer remote workers, office vacancies in Southeast Wisconsin remain high, reaching 17.7% by the end of 2023. Smaller office spaces fare better than larger ones, but the reduced foot traffic impacts nearby businesses, such as restaurants cutting hours or eliminating lunch service.
The Hybrid Model Leads the Future
As of spring 2024, workplace arrangements show that 13% of full-time employees work fully remotely, 26% work in hybrid roles, and 62% are entirely in-person. Hybrid work has become the preferred model, though employees still desire slightly more remote work than employers currently offer.
Looking Ahead
While the pandemic’s remote work boom has subsided, hybrid arrangements are here to stay. Employers seeking to attract and retain talent will need to balance flexibility with in-person expectations, as the state navigates the evolving dynamics of work in a post-pandemic world.
