Working from home – or a location close to the beach – became a habit during the Covid-19 pandemic and has remained an option in many companies since then. However, some employers are trying to get workers back to the office.
The Kaunas city municipality has tightened its remote work policy, requiring employees working off-site to be able to report to the office within an hour if needed.
The new rule, aimed at preventing abuse of flexible work arrangements, comes as experts observe a decline in remote job offers and as academics promote a new idea – outdoor office days – to bring fresh air into work routines.
Employees must be ready to arrive within an hour “to ensure smooth operations and consistent cooperation with departments and the public”, said Jurgita Kvedaravičienė, head of human resources at the Kaunas municipality, in an interview with LRT TV.
The city administration employs nearly 700 people, with about half working remotely, typically two days a week. Under the new rules, those seeking to work remotely must submit a written request explaining their reasons.
Remote work remains flexible in the private sector. At software development company Telesoftas, around two-thirds of employees work from home. The company even downsized its office space in response.
“When people feel comfortable, productivity can actually improve. In fact, we believe working from home can boost efficiency,” said Šarūnas Putrius, head of Telesoftas–Helmes Group. “Still, around 30% come into the office – people work in teams, and the social side of collaboration remains important.”
Recruitment experts say flexible work remains a major draw for job seekers, yet fewer employers are offering it. The shift away from hybrid models has become noticeable since last year.
“Employers are becoming more cautious about offering this benefit,” said Rita Karavaitienė, head of marketing at CV-Online LT. “They carefully calculate whether it’s worth offering and how it impacts their chances of attracting the right talent.”
As companies try to lure staff back into offices, a new European initiative is gaining attention: outdoor office days.
“The idea is to highlight that working in enclosed office spaces creates certain stresses – we’re the ‘indoor generation’, and fresh air feels like a luxury,” said Inga Gurauskienė, an associate professor at Kaunas University of Technology’s (KTU) Institute of Environmental Engineering.
The initiative, which began in the Netherlands, encourages office workers to take their work outside for at least one day. This year, more than 20 Lithuanian institutions, including KTU, joined the movement.
“We tried to pick sunny hours, take chairs and laptops outside, and work under the open sky. Some brought umbrellas and held virtual meetings or phone calls outdoors,” said Gurauskienė.
Organisers hope to expand the concept next year, turning the event from a one-day initiative into a full week.
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