How to create a remote work policy that works for everyone

What role should the office play, and can companies create equitable and sustainable WFH policies that work for all employees? Rotman's Sarah Kaplan and Carmina Ravanera weigh in on the future of hybrid work. 

Show notes

[0:00] In 2020, the world embarked on the great work-from-home experiment. And while as of 2022, businesses have called people back to the office, a big question mark remains

[0:41] Meet Sarah Kaplan and Carmina Ravanera from the Institute for Gender and the Economy, who explored the tension between what workers and businesses want and need when it comes to a remote work policy

[2:10] It turns out remote work can work. But businesses need to make it work for everyone

[2:35] Keep in mind the people who can’t work from home

[3:24] But for those who can, there are compelling financial upsides for employees – particularly for Black and LatinX employees – when allowed to work from home

[4:09] Remote work can also reduce workplace micro-aggressions and discrimination

[5:02] And WFH are really beneficial for those in caregiving roles

[5:34] But despite the benefits, companies can’t use a WFH policy on its own to make the workplace more equitable

[6:01] What’s the ideal worker, and why is it detrimental to people who can’t dedicate their whole selves to their jobs 

[6:41] There’s a persistent myth that remote workers aren’t as dedicated as those who come into the office. The ideal worker is one who shows up 

[6:54] And women and people of colour are more likely to suffer from these misconceptions

[7:16] Remote work policies that focus on employee monitoring can exacerbate mental health issues and company trust issues 

[8:02] You can’t just plonk a remote work policy onto an old system. To make it work, businesses will have to rethink the system

[8:36] The problem is that change is just hard. And leaders don’t always have time to think meaningfully about an equitable system redesign 

[9:09] But there are upsides, particularly for companies looking to improve inclusion efforts

[10:46] And with employers in a war for talent, it’s worth looking at creating a solution for everyone 

[11:35] Companies need to make the office worth their employees’ time 

[11:55] Hotelling doesn’t need to be a bad word. Letting employees make the trade off might be key

[13:01] What role to offices play in our social lives?

[13:20] Leaders should introspect on why people don’t want to come back

[13:45] Effective and equitable remote work policies need government and societal support to change underlying gender and racial inequalities as well

[14:19] It’s part of a holistic conversation. “Building trust in organizations is extremely difficult, and it's easy to erode. And so I think we are at a time where the role of the leaders, anybody who has other people who work for them,  supervisors all the way up to CEOs, their role in terms of being culture creators, and maintainers is going to become even more important.”