Don’t hate me, hate the science …. it is time to end remote work
During a recent #CoffeeWithFriends session, the benefits of remote work or work from home (WFH) were celebrated. The contrarian in me however said that this is from the lens of the employee.
Being trained in organizational behavior (albeit it was during my undergraduate days), I shared that information in organizations flows through both formal and informal channels, and studies have shown that high-performing organizations need both to foster a cohesive and productive work environment.
Hence, while virtual meetings and emails can replicate the formal channels, they cannot replicate the informal channels that are essential for building relationships …. and trust. And, trust is the foundation upon which a positive workplace culture is built.
Trust allows:
- the sharing of information enhancing alignment. As this information does not follow a prescribed hierarchy, it happens rapidly (and widely)
- the breaking down of barriers between departments fostering greater collaboration
- opportunities for employees to give and receive feedback improving performance and driving innovation
- employees to socialize reducing stress and improving well-being
In short, both informal and formal communications are required for organizations to perform at their peak, and remote work prevents the former from happening. I am with Elon Musk on this.
