Is Working From Home Working? A Mixed Bag

Is Working From Home Working? A Mixed Bag

THE BACK AND FORTH OF REMOTE WORK:  Many of my tech clients were ahead of the trend in allowing remote work a couple of decades ago. Ironically, just as less tech-focused companies started allowing some or all of their employees to work from home, some or all of the time, my same clients started sending people back to the office. According to a SHRM article of May 7, 2019, IBM, Yahoo, Aetna and Best Buy were just a few of the companies detailing workers back to their brick and mortar buildings, sometimes generating wails or protests.

WHY REMOTE WORK DIDN’T WORK:  According to research at the time, those most successful working at home had worked with others at the worksite before, had similar work styles, liked one another, had access to high-end technology and were skilled at using it. Unfortunately, most work groups did not have all those factors, leading to all kinds of problems.

SOME REMOTE WORK CHALLENGES:  Psychologists who have studied remote work problems point to “attribution error”, for example. If someone is not in the office, we probably assume that something came up. If we cannot reach them at home, however, we may assume that they are slacking off. Also, other studies have found that people tend to work better when they are surrounded by others who are working hard, and some studies have found that up to two-thirds of remote workers are disengaged. My clients who have seen the pendulum of remote work swing both ways found collaboration harder to create and sustain. Last, but certainly not least, a recent SHRM survey of managers supervising remotely since the pandemic lockdown, has found that a majority found managing more difficult. (As if it was not already difficult enough!)

What Should You Do?

DON’T ASSUME: While some recent reports have suggested that companies such as Facebook, Google, Twitter and so on have told employees they can work from home indefinitely, don’t be surprised if the trend swings back again. Also, not everyone WANTS to work from home. Young workers who live alone may depend on work for social ties, and those of us with kids, dogs, and laundry multiplying all over the house may be relieved to return to their office or cubicle.

TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN: If you are a manager, make sure that you learn how to manage remote workers differently. See, for example, my recent Monday Memo on how to do so: The Three Best Ways to Use Remote Tools to Lead Your People Now. Make sure that your people have the skills and training that they need. Also, do not assume that everyone knows how to Zoom or use Microsoft Teams effectively.

CUT EVERYONE SOME SLACK: Especially now, when we are all still emerging from a global trauma, people need time to adjust to the changes – whatever those may be. Do not assume that everyone can maintain the same level of productivity and engagement that they had before.