Equity

The temptation to implement a blanket rule for all hybrid or remote workers is driven by the desire for simplicity and uniformity. Leaders face the challenge of designing flexible work arrangements that maintain productivity while addressing the diverse needs of their teams.

Why it matters

Fairness in the workplace means recognising and accommodating diversity, ensuring that every employee has the support they need to thrive. Uniform policies can lead to employees feeling undervalued and less …

Teams need to collaborate and compromise on remote work arrangements to come up with a plan that works for everyone.

Why it matters

Remote work is no longer a temporary solution. Without a thoughtful operations plan, distributed teams can quickly become disjointed, leading to miscommunication, unmet deadlines, and ultimately, dissatisfied employees. Effective remote work planning isn't just a logistical necessity; it's a strategic imperative that ensures the work gets done and people remain ha…

If you lead a team that’s successfully working from home, but you’re facing the scrutiny of senior leaders who want everyone back in the office, make sure you’re giving them evidence that the work is getting done, your people are happier and you have the capacity to resolve issues.

Why it matters

Maintaining remote work means getting senior leaders on board. If you keep them in the dark about your successes, they don’t have all the information they need to make decisions about the future of re…

Remote work is blurring the lines between home life and work life.

Why it Matters

The wellbeing of your team should be your number one priority. Recognise and address the signs of an unhealthy work / life balance before your team burn out.

Take Action

Help support your remote team to achieve balanced and fulfilling work:

1. Set boundaries between work and personal life
   Without a clear boundary, employees may find themselves working longer hours, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.…

The shift to remote work requires a rethink of management style. Traditionally, managers might have focused on the specific process employees follow to complete tasks. However, this can lead to micromanagement and distrust, particularly in remote settings where direct oversight is difficult. Instead, by clearly communicating desired outcomes to their teams, leaders can empower team members to use their expertise to determine the best ways to achieve those outcomes. This approach fosters trust, e…

Employee monitoring software is becoming increasingly popular. But research shows that keeping such a close eye on employees can reduce rather than boost engagement, productivity, and worker retention.

What is bossware?

Bossware is a catch-all term for employee monitoring software.

This software is designed to measure an employee’s productivity during a workday by tracking some or all of the following:

• Mouse movements;
• Keystrokes;
• Internet browsing history;
• Visibility of employee throug…

As companies summon their employees back to the office, reality looms: physical proximity won't magically repair fractured leadership dynamics. Leaders who struggled to connect and inspire their teams remotely are likely to find themselves grappling with the same challenges within office walls.

Why it matters

While there are legitimate reasons for wanting employees back in the office, such as fostering collaboration, maintaining company culture or ensuring effective communication, it’s importa…

Surveillance software is on the rise among employers looking to track the productivity of their remote workers— but research shows that monitoring is not an effective substitute for good management.

Why it matters

With remote work here to stay, it’s essential to consider how to keep an eye on employees who are out of sight.

Employee monitoring software has been widely accepted as a solution. As early as 2020, almost 60% of small-to-medium businesses in Australia used employee monitoring softw…

If you’re looking for a remote work opportunity or your current employer is winding back remote work options, here’s our tips for maximising your potential to secure a new remote job.

Why it matters

• Many employers are unconvinced by remote work and are issuing return-to-office (RTO) orders to their employees.
• Not everyone can afford (financially or communally) to forgo the flexibility that they achieved during the pandemic.
• Some jobs and skill sets are better suited to remote work than oth…

Regardless if you’re working for an old-school leader who thinks remote working is a misguided fantasy (Gerstener, 2024) or a new-school leader who’s into hybrid work, autonomy, and management by objectives (MBO), remote workers face an up-hill journey being visible and relevant. The age-old adage of “out of sight, out of mind” remains pertinent, even with the assistance of modern technology and communications.

“Despite appreciating MBO and autonomy, remote workers [find they must] self-reinfor…