09th August 2022
Future of work: Is this the beginning of the end for remote working?
Since the pandemic, remote working has been a ubiquitous presence in the world of work – with the question of its long-term viability polarizing employees, organizations, and even international leaders.
International perspectives
The UK, for example, has the second highest number of job searches for ‘remote work’ globally. Despite this, back in May of this year, prime minister Boris Johnson caused national uproar when he said:
“My experience of working from home is you spend an awful lot of time making another cup of coffee and then, you know, getting up, walking very slowly to the fridge, hacking off a small piece of cheese, then walking very slowly back to your laptop and then forgetting what it was you’re doing”.
Yet in The Netherlands, the Dutch government is currently in the process of making remote working a legal right for all residents.
Big business insight
Recently a memo by Elon Musk was leaked in which the business magnate stated that ‘remote work is no longer acceptable’.
Whereas Facebook owners, Meta are capitalizing on the situation by improving diversity demographics, with 75% of its employees now working from multiple locations.
A viral subject
This week, the subject of remote working is once again dominating social media feeds following a passionate and controversial interview with Author and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell, for Steven Bartlett’s podcast, Diary of a CEO.
According to Gladwell: “It’s not in your best interest to work at home. I know it’s a hassle to come into the office, but if you’re just sitting in your pajamas in your bedroom, is that the work life you want to live?”
Is this the beginning of the end – or is remote working here to stay?
For more insight and commentary about Malcolm Gladwell’s viral comments, check out this article from the New York Post, by Ariel Zilber.
From the article:
The bestselling author of “Blink” and “The Tipping Point” grew emotional and shed tears as he told the Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett that people need to come into the office in order to regain a “sense of belonging” and to feel part of something larger than themselves.
“It’s very hard to feel necessary when you’re physically disconnected,” the Canadian writer said.
“As we face the battle that all organizations are facing now in getting people back into the office, it’s really hard to explain this core psychological truth, which is we want you to have a feeling of belonging and to feel necessary.”
“And we want you to join our team,” Gladwell continued. “And if you’re not here it’s really hard to do that.”
“It’s not in your best interest to work at home,” he said. “I know it’s a hassle to come into the office, but if you’re just sitting in your pajamas in your bedroom, is that the work life you want to live?”
“Don’t you want to feel part of something?”
Gladwell added: “I’m really getting very frustrated with the inability of people in positions of leadership to explain this effectively to their employees.”
“If we don’t feel like we’re part of something important, what’s the point?” he said. “If it’s just a paycheck, then it’s like what have you reduced your life to?”
Gladwell’s message would likely be well received by New York Mayor Eric Adams and San Francisco Mayor London Breed — the leaders of two cities that were hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Both cities have urged workers in finance, tech, and other sectors to return to the office in order to support small businesses that rely on foot traffic.
Read the full article, here.
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