NEW YORK- A new research report from Deutsche Bank offers a looking into the world economists see in the post-COVID-19 world.. The report, titled “What We Must Do to Rebuild,” discusses the problems that may present themselves and puts forth possible solutions that some are finding radical. Deutsche Bank researcher Luke Templeman, in writing the report, suggests governments should impose a tax on those workers transitioning to a work-from-home model.

Templeman points out in his arguments that ”between 2005 and 2018, internet technology fuelled a 173 percent increase in the number of Americans who regularly worked from home.” The report acknowledges that people working from home prior to the pandemic only made up about 5.4 percent of the workforce in the U.S. but estimates the number has skyrocketed to 56 during the pandemic. Under Templeton’s proposal, the tax would not apply during times of government mandated lockdowns, but did find in a survey of workers that the majority would prefer to continue working from home, even after the pandemic winds down.

"The sudden shift to WFH means that, for the first time in history, a big chunk of people have disconnected themselves from the economy," Deutsche Bank writes, adding, "remote workers are contributing less to the infrastructure of the economy whilst still receiving its benefits."

The bank contends that these workers benefit from convenience and save money directly because they don't have to pay for commuting costs, takeout lunches, or dry cleaning work clothes. But it means that the millions of businesses that have grown up to support office-based workers won't be able to recover.

Read the full report HERE

Read the full article HERE