Remote-friendly office positions have seen workers’ compensation claims drop as much as 40% since 2020, a new analysis by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) shows.
The decline is especially pronounced for injuries like slips and falls, which fell 50%, motor vehicle accidents down 44%, and strain injuries down 26%.
A Tale of Two Workforces
While 20–30% of U.S. workers now hold remote-capable roles — up from 4–7% before 2020 — the majority of workers remain in jobs that require on-site presence, such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Even though remote-friendly jobs make up over half of office-based payroll, they account for only 11% of total workers’ compensation premiums, highlighting their lower risk, according to Risk & Insurance.
Persistent Reductions in Claims
Claims frequency for remote-capable office roles has remained near post-pandemic lows through 2023, suggesting the reductions may be long-lasting. By comparison, in-person workers saw only an 8–19% drop in claims over the same period.
Implications for Employers and Insurers
The data underscores the need for insurers to rethink risk assessment and for companies to consider how workplace arrangements affect safety. Remote work has created a clear divide: office jobs that can be done from home carry far lower injury risk, while traditional in-person roles still dominate claims.
