A recent survey reveals that many employees in Germany are working from home more frequently than officially allowed by their companies. Despite clearly defined remote work policies, these rules are often bypassed through informal agreements with managers or simply not enforced. According to the job platform Indeed, this growing disconnect highlights the gap between company guidelines and the evolving expectations of a flexible workforce.
More than one in four respondents (25%) said their supervisors frequently allow them to work from home more days than the guidelines officially permit. These unofficial agreements seem to offer employees more flexibility, especially in situations where formal company rules are seen as too rigid.
Interestingly, 13.8% of respondents stated that they are occasionally required to come into the office more often than company policies dictate, indicating a lack of consistency and possible manager-level discretion.
Despite having some degree of flexibility, more than half of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their company’s home office policies. The dissatisfaction appears tied to rigid structures and inflexible implementation, even in companies where remote work is officially supported.
Employees who enjoy greater autonomy over when and where they work report significantly higher levels of satisfaction.
Many workers are strategically scheduling personal appointments, such as doctor visits or service calls, on days when they are expected to be in the office. This tactic allows them to work from home without violating formal rules, further highlighting the disconnect between employee needs and company regulations.
According to Stefanie Bickert from Indeed, the current situation is leading to a "silent erosion of formal rules." She notes that informal arrangements and private scheduling decisions are slowly overriding official policies, especially when those policies are out of touch with employee realities.
“Even employees who are officially permitted to work from home often find the existing regulations too rigid or inflexible,” Bickert said.
The survey paints a clear picture: Employees crave flexibility and are willing to bend or bypass rules to get it. As remote work becomes a staple of modern employment, companies may need to rethink their home office policies, making them more adaptable, consistent, and aligned with both business and employee needs.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
