As boomer and Gen X bosses retire, working from home will make a major comeback, new research predicts—and you have work-life balance loving Gen Z to thank
Yahoo Finance·2026-02-17 13:39

Core Insights - The trend of remote work is expected to return as younger generations take over leadership roles, despite current mandates from older executives for in-office work [1][6]. Group 1: Leadership and Remote Work Trends - Millennial and Gen Z bosses are significantly more likely to allow remote work compared to baby boomer and Gen X leaders [2][6]. - Research indicates that employees at younger firms and under younger CEOs work from home more frequently, with those at firms founded after 2015 working almost twice as often from home compared to those at firms established before 1990 [3][4]. Group 2: Future of Work Environment - As older leaders retire, the traditional five-day office workweek is likely to diminish, leading to a more flexible work environment [6]. - The study suggests that employees seeking remote work opportunities should target younger firms with younger leadership to increase their chances of maintaining a home office setup [7]. Group 3: Digital and Flexible Work Culture - Younger bosses not only prioritize flexibility but also embrace digital tools, having built their businesses around platforms like Slack and Zoom, making flexibility an integral part of their operations [8]. - There is a correlation between younger CEOs and companies that adopt both flexible and digital-first approaches, indicating that leaders resistant to change may struggle with future technological advancements [9].