The software industry is going WFH for good: 74% of CFOs and finance leaders surveyed by Gartner said they plan to shift part of their workforce to permanently remote. Microsoft, Twitter, and many other leading companies have already announced that most workers sent home to ride out the pandemic can stay there indefinitely.

It would be a mistake to presume tech CFOs are simply grabbing a chance to cut operating expenses and reduce salaries. Most of the push is coming from the people at the desks: Our study with the Economist Intelligence Unit found nearly half of tech-sector staff and two-thirds of management don't want to go back to the office full-time when COVID-19-related restrictions are lifted. Most report better focus when working at home, despite its new distractions. They love cutting back on the time and energy lost to commuting. Separately, many enjoy the cumulative benefits to the environment-the improved air quality in big cities by April was obvious to all.

And with COVID-19 forcing their hands, the move to remote work isn't only in software: A report by McKinsey details retailers, fast-food chains, financial services companies, and others exploring ways to create a post-pandemic workforce now rather than waiting to go back to their old "normal."