Remote & Hybrid Working

Remote working, also known as working from home (WFH), home working and satellite working  is the practice of working from one's home or another space rather than from an office.

The recent rise of remote work, catalysed by the 2020 pandemic, has led to the establishment of hybrid work settings, in which many knowledge workers physically meet their colleagues less frequently. [1]

Knowledge Workers

Knowledge work comprises tasks that involve complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity as well as ethical considerations, empathy, and a deep understanding of social and cultural contexts. It often involves collaboration with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, in which effective communication, negotiation, and teamwork are vital in such roles.

New Research

This change has brought new challenges, like screen-based separation, where people feel disconnected and may lose the sense of awareness that comes with being physically close to others [2].  The impact of primarily virtual teamwork goes beyond just completing tasks. It affects interpersonal relationships by creating a gap in the natural visibility that comes with being physically close to others [3].  This is particularly relevant for knowledge workers who rely on continuous collaboration and spontaneous exchange of ideas for innovation and problem-solving. In a traditional office setting, casual interactions in hallways or shared spaces contribute significantly to a collective understanding of team dynamics, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. In the virtual realm, these organic moments are often lost, and as a result, the social fabric of a team can become strained.

Information Radiators

Information radiators (IRs) remain important for team and individual effectiveness, but their use needs to adapt to virtual work environments.  We can learn from existing setups, like the watercooler, where informal, spontaneous interactions occur, helping people stay aware of others' activities and encouraging collaboration.  As new generations of workers are used to working with colleagues they may never meet in person, there's a growing need for digital versions of these social spaces to bridge the gap between digital and physical work environments.  This also means there's an increased need to share information about co-workers.  This consideration opens up a debate about personal data.

Is Technology the Answer?

Can AI replace much of this? While AI has potential, current models are still limited in replicating human interactions. It's unlikely that generative AI will soon be able to fully replace knowledge workers [4][5][6].

What about the Metaverse? The "Metaverse" has gained significant attention from tech enthusiasts, researchers, and the public [7]. It’s a virtual shared space merging physical and digital worlds through AR and VR. Once a vision of a digital future, it is now increasingly blending with our physical reality [8].

Related pages:

References:


Image Credits:

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash