While one-half of Atlantic Canadians have worked from home during the pandemic, many have returned to work either full-time or part-time.

One-quarter of Atlantic Canadians will continue to work from home over the next three months.

HALIFAX, January 27th, 2021

Working from home has become increasingly common throughout the past year as a result of the pandemic. Much of the world’s working population has had to change the way they work, and Atlantic Canada’s population is no exception. One-half of working Atlantic Canadians indicate they have been working from home during the pandemic, consistent with results from September. In addition, a small number have always done so. The percent of those working from home is fairly consistent across the Atlantic Provinces, but is most common among higher-income earners and residents under the age of 55 years.

For those who have maintained employment and have worked from home during the pandemic, one-half (51%) have already returned to working in-person either full or part-time. 

Additionally, one in ten (10%) expect they will be returning to work in-person in the next three months, while one-quarter will continue working from home (25%).

There continues to be a degree of uncertainty about the future, as 14 percent of those currently working from home do not know if they will be returning or not.

Across the region, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are more likely to report having returned to work in-person full-time, compared to residents of the other three Atlantic Provinces. Those in PEI are more likely to report that they will not be returning to work in-person in the next three months, compared to their counterparts. 

Additionally, women are more likely than males to report that they will not return to work in the next three months, while men are more likely to have already returned to work full-time. 

With such a significant proportion, albeit a minority, planning to continue with remote working, it is clear the pandemic will have a lasting impact on how businesses operate in the future.

Narrative Research, www.narrativeresearch.ca, is one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research companies. As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. Visit EastCoastVoice.ca to join Atlantic Canada’s largest panel, and share your opinions.

This survey was conducted from January 4, 2021 – January 10, 2021 with 2,512 Atlantic Canadians from Narrative Research’s online panel, East Coast Voice. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied. 


For more information, contact:

Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner: 902.493.3830 (W); 902.222.7066 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca

Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner: 902.493.3834 (W); 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca

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