Avoiding Uncertainty and Conflict: The Importance of Clear Expectations and Rules for Remote Workers

Abstract

There is little doubt that COVID-19 has changed the workplace in numerous aspects. We witness dramatic transformations in turnover rates, extinction of professions, the basic motivation needs of employees etc. One of the most prominent changes we have seen is the rise of the remote workers and its consequences. Employees have worked from home prior the COVID-19 pandemic, but this phenomenon had grown exponentially during the pandemic. This rapid unprecedent rate required some industries to change completely the way the operate in terms of measurement, training, evaluating, managing, communicating etc. In this opinion article I will address this issue by identifying the complex consequences of remote working, mostly by discussing the importance of setting clear expectations and boundaries. I will also offer organizations some practices that could mitigate the negative outcomes of remote working.