As major companies like Google and Apple have begun mandating a return of all employees to the office for a certain number of days per week, the debate about flexibility and autonomy continues to develop. More organizations are taking a firm stance on where they feel their employees should work, once again casting the spotlight on the question of how much say employees should have in determining their own work arrangement — whether they should be able to decide where and when they work, or whether their organization should make that decision for them.
Balancing Autonomy and Structure for Remote Employees
A roadmap for leaders in the hybrid era.
May 13, 2022
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Summary.
Employees want full autonomy to choose where and when they work. Data from the new Jabra Hybrid Ways of Working 2022 Global Report finds that this increased autonomy contributes positively to an employee’s work experience, boosting factors such as motivation, productivity, trust, and mental well-being. However, one major concern that leaders have expressed is the inability to make important decisions about the future space and technology needs of the organization if they don’t know where or when employees will be working. Luckily, Jabra’s data also finds that employees long to restore some sense of stability to their lives after two very uncertain years. The authors provide a roadmap for leaders to support increased employee autonomy while still tending to the more tangible needs of the organization.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Team Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
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