Resetting Human Resource Management by Hermann Troger

Author:Hermann Troger
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783031061660
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

4.4.2 The Right-Smart-Place to Work

Developments in information and communication technology mean that the physical space in which a work activity is carried out has become increasingly irrelevant and the term “virtual workspace” has entered our language. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the traditional way of working was turned completely on its head: Suddenly, employees were expected to spend as little time as possible at their actual workplace.

Smart working and remote working have been around since long before COVID-19. Smart working describes an approach to work organization that aims to increase efficiency and improve outcomes through a combination of flexibility, autonomy, and collaboration. It takes into account not only a range of different methods and, in particular, the use of technology but also the conditions under which people work and the satisfaction they derive from their work. Remote working can play an important role in this. Even before the pandemic, some work was performed remotely rather than at the office, provided the conditions were right. The technical requirements had to be met, and if legal issues had to be addressed, they could usually be resolved quickly and unbureaucratically—after all, these cases were generally exceptions to the rule. This technology-driven trend was suddenly rapidly accelerated by the pandemic, and remote work is now a valid and accepted work concept. However, it has now almost exclusively turned into working from home. The pandemic made what was once an occasional request by a handful of employees into a recommended policy or mandatory rule—for as many as possible.

Due to the sudden and drastic impact of the coronavirus crisis on companies, many of them quickly and nimbly implemented work-from-home regulations, focusing on technical equipment and data protection rather than the relevant employment legislation. Since then, employers’ associations in various countries have been working with trade unions to develop a legal framework for remote work from home. From the provision of the necessary work equipment, the recording of working hours and breaks, to procedures in the event of illness or accidents while working, the aim is to create a new binding framework for the employment relationship between job holder and employer.

In addition, working from home adds a new dimension to the relationship between employees and their managers. Leadership from a distance creates its own challenges. On the one hand, the freedom associated with working from home makes it difficult for managers to coordinate and monitor the work being done; on the other hand, it also reduces employees’ opportunities for consultation and discussion. Either way, working from home requires an unprecedented level of mutual trust from all involved.

Some Advantages of Working from Home

(a)

No travel to and from work saves time and money.

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