WFH sticks – for now 

YARMOUTH, Maine – Five years on from the COVID-19 pandemic and despite a broad return-to-office movement, work from home is a policy that still holds up for most respondents to a recent HME Newspoll. 

Eighty-one percent of respondents reported they have employees who work from home and nearly 70% say they’re not reconsidering their policy. 

“WFH was a virtually seamless transition during COVID,” wrote Erin Dolan of Med-Essentials in New Hartford, Conn. “My employees and I feel quality of life, productivity and job satisfaction have increased while working from home. We find there are less distractions without the social aspect of the office environment.” 

The largest share of respondents (50%) reported up to 25% of their employees work from home and the second largest share (23%) say 51% to 75% do. 

Respondents who support work from home cite cost savings, including reduced overhead expenses, and recruiting and retention benefits. 

“For us, the work-from-home model allows us to find the best national and global talent and significantly reduces employee turnover,” wrote one respondent.  

But other respondents reported work from home isn’t a good fit due to the face time with patients they feel is needed to run a successful HME company. 

“We have two upper-level managers that will do some after-hours work from home as needed but we don’t have any regular work-from-home employees,” wrote Garry Nichols of Taylor Drug in Arkansas City, Kan. “I do not believe that is in the best interests of a patient-centric business.” 

Respondents say work from home can also stifle teamwork – “When people are working remotely, I think you lose too much of the team culture,” wrote Craig Rae of Penrod Medical Equipment in Salisbury, N.C. – and, often the elephant in the room, productivity. 

“We have an out-of-state employee who works from home,” wrote one respondent. “We’ve tried a hybrid situation, but productivity falls off significantly on WFH days. We thought it would be a nice perk, but it didn’t work out for us.” 

Even respondents who support work from home reported it’s not a policy that’s set in stone. 

“I’m lucky to have an honest, loyal and dedicated team but would reconsider WFH if employees were found to be taking advantage of the situation or operational changes necessitated it,” Dolan also wrote.