National Working Naked Day

Yes, you did read the title correctly! While it might be hard to believe, there is such a thing as National Working Naked Day.

It’s true that when most people think about work, nakedness isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But what about choosing to think about working from home? Still no?

Well, for those people who do work from home, they could, in theory, work naked. Because, really, who would know, right? Well, that is the whole idea for this day – to honor the freedom that working from home allows to people all over the world.

How to Celebrate National Working Naked Day

For those who want to celebrate all the great advantages that come along with working from home, this day is one of the best motivators. Try out some of these ideas and get celebrating:

Update That Workspace

Look around at the space where all of the work at home normally happens. Is it the kitchen table or the living room or a home office? Is this space lacking energy or filled with distractions? What would it take to give the space a facelift? Take some time to plan it.

Think about a fresh coat of paint, a new chair, or even just a plant or two that could serve to make the area feel new and fresh.

The result may make itself clear in improved creativity or productivity. Or maybe just a little bit more joy and satisfaction in life.

Improve Technology

Another thing to think about is investigating new technologies that might be effective in improving the home office.

Perhaps a new computer, a higher speed internet, or a separate screen for taking online video calls would be in order. Try out these hacks to make working from home more productive:

• Invest in a Larger Computer Screen
  Some people love their huge monitors (like 49 inches!) That allows them to divide up their working screen into separate spaces to keep everything organized. Keep several different apps open and in view all at once, like a calendar, web browser, work messaging app and needed documents.
• Get an External Webcam
  Since online video calls are here to stay, go ahead and get a high resolution one that can be mounted wherever is best, not just stuck on the front of a laptop or computer monitor.
• In-Ear Headphones
  For taking video calls, headphones are a must. But the corded ones get all tangled and look weird when on a call. Sleek in-ear pods (like Apple Airpods) have a great microphone and allow users to hear well while looking sleek.
• New Wifi Router
  That clunky old ugly router is just a pain and probably doesn’t work very well. Invest in a new wifi router, like the sleek Google Nest, that can be placed somewhere that it doesn’t need to be hidden! Its high performance works even at range.

Read a Book about Working Naked

Try reading a book to learn more about the concept of working naked. Working Naked: A Guide to the Bare Essentials of Home Office Life (2010), offers insight and inspiration for those who are currently working from home, or to prepare those who might choose to someday in the future.

Give Yourself Some Kudos

It takes courage to work from home and the courage to try new things. Honor yourself for both and you may find that you make your work-from-home life much easier.

Those who make the choice to work from home may find it’s common to want to hide a little, But people can feel free to shout about it from the rooftops–sharing those accomplishments and the strength to make this choice.

Don’t forget to fill those walls with diplomas, accreditations or any certifications that you have earned. Let your clients, as well as yourself, be proud of the journey you are on.

Those who hold all of their meetings online should be sure to post evidence of their accomplishments right on the wall behind them so everyone can see! Finally, take this day to find a new way to work!

Celebrate National Working Naked Day (however you care to dress!)

History of National Working Naked Day

National Working Naked Day was founded in 2010. This day was created by an author and business woman who has written books including topics like home office organizing and working from home.

At the time of the day’s founding, working from home was not the commonplace choice that it is today. In fact, the founder (who chooses to remain anonymous) has stated that she didn’t even let on that she was working from home for the first five years–for fear of not being taken seriously in her industry.

It’s hard to fathom how much things have changed in the past decade or so.

And this, my friends, is exactly what National Working Naked Day is all about!

National Working Naked Day is the ideal opportunity to celebrate the freedom and flexibility that working from home allows for and the changes that have taken place in recent years to allow this.

Tired of the stress-filled commute? How about changing that commute into the one from the coffee pot in the kitchen to your office? Certainly there are many people who would prefer this! Want to trade those suits and ties for bunny slippers and comfy clothes? Well, this is how to do it!

Of course, Working Naked Day means different things to different people. Now this is speaking about more than how a person dresses before sitting down to do their work!

For some, the thought of working from home leaves them feeling naked. No boss or coworkers to help if something goes awry. Sure, they might be able to track them down over the phone, but sometimes just knowing they are a few steps away can help.

But for those who work from home and have the opportunity to wear whatever they want to work, this day is for them.

Facts About National Working Naked Day

Pioneering Experiments in Telecommuting Date Back to the 1970s  

Long before broadband and video calls, major employers were already testing remote work.

In 1979, IBM allowed about 5% of its U.S. employees to work from home in an early “telecommuting” pilot, and by 1983 the U.S. National Academy of Public Administration had published one of the first major reports examining how home-based work could reduce traffic congestion and energy use, setting the stage for later work-from-home movements.  

Remote Work Has Grown from Niche to Mainstream in Just Two Decades 

In 2000, only about 3% of U.S. workers primarily worked from home; by 2019 it was still under 6%.

The COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated this dramatically: U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that in 2021 roughly 17–18% of U.S. workers worked from home on an average day, and globally McKinsey estimates that up to 20–25% of workers in advanced economies could work from home three to five days a week without losing productivity.  

Productivity Impacts of Working from Home Are Mixed but Often Neutral or Positive  

A large randomized experiment at a Chinese travel agency found that call-center workers assigned to work from home were 13% more productive, due to more calls per minute and fewer breaks, and were half as likely to quit compared with office workers.

Later follow‑up showed that when employees could choose whether to work from home, productivity gains rose to 22%, although some workers reported feeling more isolated, highlighting that remote work benefits depend heavily on job type and worker preference.  

Remote Work Can Blur Boundaries and Affect Mental Health  

Surveys during and after the COVID‑19 pandemic found that home-based workers were more likely to report working outside standard hours and struggling to “switch off.”

The World Health Organization and International Labour Organization have noted that poorly managed telework can increase risks of stress, burnout, and sleep problems, especially when expectations for constant availability are high and workspace is shared with family, underscoring the need for clear boundaries and ergonomic setups at home.  

Dress Codes Have Historically Been Used to Signal Professionalism and Social Status  

From 19th‑century frock coats and starched collars to 20th‑century gray flannel suits, office dress codes have long functioned as visible markers of hierarchy and respectability.

Sociologists note that “business dress” expectations emerged alongside the rise of corporate bureaucracies, where uniform clothing helped signal reliability and conformity; casual and remote work dress trends challenge this by shifting the focus from appearance toward output and flexibility.  

Casual and Home-Based Workwear Have Become a Global Business  

Relaxation of office dress codes and the spread of remote work have fueled strong growth in the “athleisure” and loungewear markets.

Market research firms such as Grand View Research report that the global athleisure market, which includes clothing designed to be both comfortable and presentable on video calls, surpassed $300 billion in value in the early 2020s and is projected to keep growing as hybrid and home working arrangements persist.  

Employers Can Still Be Responsible for Health and Safety in Home Offices  

Although the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not inspect most home offices, it has clarified that employers remain responsible for work-related injuries and illnesses that occur while an employee is working at home, if the tasks are for the employer and in the interest of the employer’s business.

This has led many organizations to issue guidance or stipends for ergonomic furniture, safe electrical setups, and reasonable work hours, even when employees are out of sight.