Work-from-home is
the new buzzword for businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. And now,
more and more companies are reorienting to a new model of work where employees
don’t have to visit offices at all. In such an era, cities that harbour workers
from near and far are also going through a shift. A recent study, conducted by
mobile technology company Kisi, has found that Norway capital Oslo is the best
place to work in the world for its work-life balance. Dubai, the worst.

In Finland capital
Helsinki, workers typically get a month of paid vacation leave, according to
the study, which focussed on parameters such as intensity of work and
affordability. In Los Angeles, paid vacation leave extends to just a week in a
year.

Also Read | Teleworking can have impact on workers’ physical, mental health: WHO and ILO

The demand for
work-from-home is forcing companies to shift to a remote model of work. This,
on the other hand, is also making city governments make interesting shifts.
While real estate markets take a hit as offices move to the world wide web,
cities are looking to make themselves more liveable in order to expand their
tax base in order to bolster their economies.

The study offered
a unique sneak peek into the lives of workers in various cities. For example,
in Amsterdam, Buenos Aires and Sydney, less than 10% workers were found to be
overworked. Meanwhile, Washington DC, Austin and Singapore have emerged as
countries most work-from-home friendly. Nearly half the jobs in these cities require
only remote work.

Also Read | 5 steps to build a solid work from home routine

Bernhard Mehl, the
chief executive officer of Kisi, the organisation that conducted the study, told
Bloomberg that recent years have tested the “support structures in place for
employees around the world.” “The ongoing stress and disruption brought about
by the pandemic has been followed by war in Ukraine, contributing to global
instability that will be felt for years to come.”

The study
comprised 51 metropolitan areas in the United States and 49 major cities across
the world. The cities were judged for access to healthcare, work intensity,
safety metrics, well being of inhabitants, along 130 data points.