Remote work is often assumed to weaken connections between coworkers. However, authors of a recent article in the Harvard Business Review (Schinoff et al., 2024), found that remote work can provide personal insights into colleagues’ lives and encourage more creative engagement compared to office settings. The authors offer managers research-backed advice and questions to consider before authorizing workers to return to work.
CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT REMOTE WORK
The authors offer the following research-supported advice to managers:
- Keep an open mind about remote work and think about ways it can benefit employees and leadership. This can position remote work as a benefit instead of a hindrance.
- Employees working remotely should be encouraged to reveal more of themselves and show parts of their lives that do not relate to work.
- Create a safe outlet where employees can connect and share details that do not relate to work. Research shows that this positively affects personal and professional relationships.
- Ask whether work requires in-person collaboration, or whether there is a need to build individual or group relationships with employees. Also consider how working from home may affect socialization or work quality.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Before mandating employees to return to the workplace, consider following the authors’ advice and evaluating the pros and cons of remote work. According to research, employees seem considerably satisfied with interacting remotely and perhaps getting a glimpse into a more authentic side of coworkers. Overall, leaders should take time to reflect on how remote work can enhance connectivity among coworkers and help them create more meaningful relationships.
Image credit: Unsplash+