Speaker: Andra C. Ghent, University of Utah

Paper Title: Winners and Losers from the Work-from-Home Technology Boon

Abstract: We model how productivity improvement in Work-from-Home (WFH) differentially affects workers using a framework in which some workers cannot work offsite at all, some workers can work hybrid work schedules, and some workers are completely remote. WFH significantly increases housing demand by workers in telecommutable occupations and, because housing is inelastically supplied, substantially increases housing prices. Because workers in non-telecommutable occupations must consume housing but their total factor productivity does not increase, technological progress worsens welfare for some workers. The fall in welfare comes despite measured income increasing slightly for the same workers whose welfare falls.

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Qi4bHuJcSYK6b826Q_uJ3A