HUMAN RESOURCES Transition to Business By Paul Falcone
The Status of Remote and Hybrid Work in the American Workplace You’ve no doubt heard of the trend toward remote and hybrid working arrangements over the past three years since the Covid pandemic began. Last week, Disney announced that it expected all employees to return to their offices four days a week to foster a better sense of collaboration and creativity. Likewise, Apple is looking to bring its remote workers back into the office three days a week. Will these announcements by name-brand organizations like Disney and Apple create an avalanche of returns to work? That’s yet to be seen. But these announcements will not go unnoticed in corporate America. Survey findings show that many remote workers believe that they are as or more productive than they were when working fully onsite prior to the pandemic. However, the findings are mixed when senior management is polled at those same organizations—the “higher productivity from remote work” math doesn’t necessarily add up in the eyes of C-level executives (CEOs, CFOs, and COOs). Productivity gains or performance drags continue to be seen and measured, but two things are for sure:
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• Companies looking to return workers to the office or plant will likely cite Disney and Apple as “best practice organizations” already doing so and carving the path for others. (In other words, organizations won’t be doing so alone and can show they’re in good company.) • The specter of an oncoming recession may change the game when it comes to remote work, as leaders shift into survival mode. Rather than continuing to experiment and innovate with their work cultures, corporate executives may opt to revert to “normal” by returning as many workers as quickly as possible to the physical plant, campus, or building. Company and HR leaders would be best served to weigh the pros and cons of remote versus hybrid or fully inperson policies by listening to employee feedback. And many experts predict there will likely be a balance.