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Between 2021 and 2025, researchers from UFMG and UnB analyzed the impacts of remote work on professional routine and concluded that the model brings sustainable positive effects
Since January 2021, a team of researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and the University of Brasília (UnB) has conducted a longitudinal study. The objective was to examine the effects of remote work on the daily lives of Brazilian professionals in various fields, focusing on emotional health and work performance. The study’s coordinator, Professor Roberto Dutra, released the consolidated data in May 2025 during an academic seminar in the city of Belo Horizonte. Based on the results, the researchers observed a consistent trend of increased satisfaction, concentration, and well-being among those who worked remotely. Thus, the study suggests that remote work, when structured, can be a viable alternative for certain organizational contexts.
Main Benefits Observed Throughout the Research
The analysis considered responses from participants who worked either partially or fully remotely between 2021 and 2025. Based on this, the main perceptions were mapped. The flexibility of schedules facilitated the reconciliation of personal and professional demands, providing better organization of daily routines. The savings in time and energy resulting from the absence of commuting contributed to a reduction in stress and fatigue, according to 78% of respondents. Adapting the work environment to the professional’s reality increased the sense of comfort and autonomy. The reduction of exposure to urban stress, by avoiding traffic and tense environments, generated a more balanced emotional environment. Although the results depend on variables such as sector, type of activity, and technological infrastructure, the overall trend was of positive perception.
Effects Were Also Perceived in Company Performance
In addition to individual impacts, the study identified reflections in the organizational environment. According to the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), companies that adopted remote work between 2020 and 2023 reported improvements in productivity, noted by 62% of those surveyed, especially in the technology, administration, and communication sectors. The reduction in absenteeism was associated with greater comfort and autonomy for professionals. Talent retention increased, with greater continuity of employees in remote positions, especially in technical and management roles. However, the researchers emphasize that such benefits require planning, clear goals, and adequate investments in digital management.
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Hybrid Model Is Seen as a Functional Alternative
From 2023 onwards, the hybrid model became predominant in medium and large companies. The study assesses that this configuration facilitates the transition between remote and in-person work. Working from home offers convenience, while in-person days maintain interpersonal bonds and strengthen organizational culture. The balance between formats better meets operational needs without compromising collective performance. Additionally, in-person meetings are considered strategic for decision-making, training, and reinforcing institutional identity. The hybrid model emerges as a functional intermediate solution that can be adapted to various types of businesses.
Structured Organizational Policies Are Essential
The adoption of remote work, therefore, requires more than just access to the internet or equipment, as it also necessitates strategic planning and well-defined internal policies. Furthermore, according to a technical study by the Foundation Institute of Administration (FIA), released in December 2024, several critical points in the remote model were identified. Among them are the lack of standardization in communication flows, absence of productivity indicators, and low support for mental health. For this reason, the researchers recommend that companies invest simultaneously in effective digital tools and realistic goals. They also suggest creating psychological support channels and adaptation training for teams. Thus, these actions significantly reduce the risks of overload, continuous demotivation, and decreased productivity.
Conclusions Indicate That the Remote Model Is Sustainable in Certain Contexts
Professor Roberto Dutra stated, at the end of the report presentation, that remote work does not replace in-person work but can be effective when applied with structure. According to him, between 2021 and 2025, there was a significant shift in mindset, as professionals began to prioritize quality of life and emotional balance more. Additionally, a complementary survey by the Datafolha Institute, released in April 2025, revealed that 71% of Brazilian workers prefer workdays that offer some level of flexibility. Therefore, the study indicates that remote work increasingly represents a real possibility to reorganize modern work based on empirical, institutional, and social foundations.
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