Out of sight, out of mind

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in remote and hybrid work that has many managers concerned about declining productivity levels. Here we examine the latest buzzwords associated with the trend, how executives and employees are coping in this new environment, and whether “stealing time” is a fraudulent act.

Recent articles from The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Gallup and many others have sounded the alarm over productivity shortfalls and underperformance. The debate around productivity has become more relevant than ever as companies struggle to maintain employee efficiency in a remote-work setting. While some argue that working from home can lead to improved productivity due to reduced distractions and increased flexibility, others believe that it may result in decreased collaboration and communication among team members.