The International Journal of Professional Management - ISSN 20422341
Working From Home (WFH) in the Post Pandemic World. Opportunity or Threat?
Volume 16, Issue 4, 2021
Mike Bagshaw
michaelbagshaw@yahoo.co.uk
Introduction
The growth of working from home (WFH) didn’t start with Covid-19 but it has certainly accelerated its development. It can be assumed that WFH works best with knowledge-based jobs where face to face contact is not critical (although the advent of ZOOM and MS Teams may change that somewhat). Indeed, IT companies have already started to facilitate WFH as part of flexible working arrangements which are seen to be beneficial to the employee and the employer. In particular, flexible arrangements including WFH may be seen as part of the offer to attract talent.
The digital and broadband internet has made WFH easier for many and during the pandemic many people have been able to start WFH and reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. Bouzin et al (2020) estimated that in late March 2020 3.4 billion people in 84 countries have been confined to their homes.
So, the question might be asked "Is this the new normal?". Arntz, Ben, Yahmed & Berlingieri (2020) have argued that WFH will increase given that it increases the labour supply. If it is the new normal, it seems prudent to consider the good and bad consequences and plan to enhance the good and minimise the bad. Opinion is still divided as to what is good and what is bad. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said "I don't see any positives. Not being able to get together in person, particularly internationally, is a pure negative". Apple CEO Tim Cook said "In all candour it’s not like being together physically … but I don’t believe we will return to the way we were because we have found that there are some things that actually work well virtually" (Barrero, Bloom & Davis, 2021).
To View Full Article, Please Login
Contemporary Case Studies
Conferences
Management Tips
articles of interest
Websites of Interest
Book Reviews
Editor's Message
Home|Editorial Board|Author Guidlines|Authors|Subscription|Privacy Policy
Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved.
International Professional Managers Association
5 Starnes Court, Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1EB. England. UK