The results of a recent survey of more than 20,000 people in 11 different countries has identified two completely opposite views about productivity in relation to working from home.
While four out of five bosses surveyed felt their staff were less productive when working remotely, the majority of employees, around 87%, felt they were more productive.
There could be a number of explanations for this.
At a time when, according to the latest Begbies Traynor Red Flag report, more than 600,000 UK companies are in critical financial distress it is possible that anxious bosses are desperate to increase their firms’ productivity and this is distorting their perceptions.
There can be little doubt that less commuting and a better work/life balance as well as enabling employees to work for longer periods. Perhaps there is a little distortion of perception going on here too?
However, for the findings to be a more accurate reflection of the reality, there are a number of questions that should be asked.
- How well have the bosses communicated their expectations to remote workers and do they give feedback on performance?
- Do employees have measurable goals?
- Do employees have the right tools and technology to allow them to get things done?
- Are their devices suitable for the job they are doing?
In assessing, and hopefully improving, productivity there needs to be an established baseline from which to measure.