WinWin4WorkLife

The WinWin4WorkLife project examines the social, economic, and regional impacts of remote work arrangements (RWA) in Europe. It aims to generate knowledge about the balance of work and leisure time, anticipate remote work trends, and design policies derived from it. This interdisciplinary project brings together experts in geography, sociology, and economics who study the effects of remote work on individual well-being, urban vitality, and the remote work practices of employers and employees.

Data for the project is collected from five different countries (Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Slovakia) whose cultures, labor markets, social security systems, and housing conditions vary. The results of the project will be used to understand the interaction between work and leisure time and to shape the remote work landscape. Data collected through surveys, diaries, and interviews with employees and employers will help create scenarios and regional forecast models.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE WINWIN4WORKLIFE PROJECT

• UNDERSTAND how the private and work spheres interact when working remotely.
• ASSESS which working conditions ensure a healthy work-life balance in RWA for men and women living in urban, rural, and cross-border areas.
• CREATE forecasting models of the impacts of different scenarios of RWA on mobility, land use, air quality, noise, and health.
• ENHANCE knowledge on the role of culture, regional context, and welfare systems in the uptake of RWA by employees and employers.
• DEVELOP evidence-based spatial policies for a sustainable implementation of RWA, based on co-creation processes with stakeholders and citizens.

The project involves 15 European universities and research institutions aiming to develop sustainable remote work practices that benefit both the employee and the employer. At University of Helsinki, the Digital Geography Lab contributes to the project by researching the special features of Finnish remote work – working from a cottage or second home and the impact of remote work, in particular, on the vitality of different regions in Eastern Finland.

The WinWin4WorkLife project commenced in February 2024 and will continue until July 2027. This project is funded from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement no. 101132580.