The work-from-home revolution is well underway. If there were any benefits from an 18-month pandemic, it was a change in the way in which people work. Those who have tasted working from home will understand the obvious perks. However, Microsoft and other major organizations still have concerns. In fact, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says businesses remain unconvinced by the work-from-home era.
So, while you are loving working from home, your bosses are probably thinking of ways to get you back in the office. Or, at least think of ways to tie you down into a schedule and tracking.
Nadella’s comments were part of Microsoft’s recent Work Trend Index Pulse Report titled “Hybrid Work Is Just Work. Are We Doing It Wrong?” That title says a lot. It is clear Microsoft – like other organisations – understands the hybrid workplace is here to stay. However, businesses have concerns about how they manage the new hybrid environment.
According to Nadella, companies have to move beyond what Microsoft calls “productivity paranoia:”
“All of the data we have that shows that 80% plus of the individual people feel they’re very productive – except their management thinks that they’re not productive. That means there is a real disconnect in terms of the expectations and what they feel.”
Work Preference
The Work Trend Index Plus survey polls employees across Microsoft’s global workforce. 87% of participants say they think they are more productive when working at home. 80% of managers within the company think workers are less productive.
There is clearly a divide that must be bridged. Microsoft is more accepting of hybrid work than most. Major companies such as Apple and Google have actively sought to get workers back into the office. Apple takes a strict approach that engineers and developers must be in the office.
Such a stance will likely mean Apple will miss out on talent unless it changes. Microsoft’s approach is more flexible. The company allows employees to spend 50% of their time working remotely.
Still, Microsoft wants to connect managers with employees more effectively over the hybrid bridge. That is why the company last week rolled out a slew of Microsoft Viva apps and tools.
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