As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to shift and change, companies are left wondering whether or not to allow teams to continue remote work or to mandate a return to the office either in a full or hybrid model. A recent study in the journal Nature Human Behavior explored remote work’s impact on over 61,000 Microsoft employees. Here are some of the key findings:
- Organization-wide remote work reduced the collaboration network of workers.
- The reduction decreased new connections and worsened “siloed” connections.
- The timing of communication shifted from synchronous communication to more asynchronous communication.
The issue is complex. Although the study discusses some significant limitations and reinforces the need for future research, it is clear that these three critical challenges with remote work may make it harder for employees to collaborate. The end goal of the collaboration is the ability to acquire and share new information across the network, and this study indicates the changes that exist in this area. Companies must also weigh the benefits of remote or hybrid work environments with these challenges in mind. Some benefits include a better work-life balance, less commute stress, location independence, improved inclusivity, company cost savings, positive environmental impact, and increased employee retention.
I would argue that how we gather for work matters. In her book The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are “lackluster and unproductive–which they don’t have to be.” She draws on her experience as an expert facilitator to examine various ways to gather and explore what works and what doesn’t. These two pieces of writing helped me understand the complexity of these decisions for employers. There are no easy answers. No matter what path companies take, they will need to adjust their learning and development goals to reflect the new needs of employees.
Want to know more about Empowered Development Consulting? Reach out to me, Meghan Schiedel, and find out how Empowered Development Consulting can help you.