In the media
12.01.2021

Working from home during the pandemic? Not for German public admin employees

In an interview with Tagesspiegel, Gerhard Hammerschmid discusses the reasons for the slow transition from onsite to remote work.

The pandemic resulted in a “radical change” in Germany’s public administration, says Gerhard Hammerschmid, Professor of Public and Financial Management and Director of the Centre for Digital Governance at the Hertie School. Especially, he says, when it comes to the acceptance of remote work.

But there is still progress to be made; around 50% of public administration employees continue to go to into an office. Hammerschmid, who recently published a study in collaboration with consulting agency Next:Public, says that a lack of technical equipment isn’t the only reason for this slow transition into working from home.

Work and organizational culture in Germany’s public administration favours on-site presence, Hammerschmid adds: “You distinguish yourself by being present – management expects this from their employees.“

Read the full article (in German) here.

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