Mindsets about remote work predict employee well-being in home office: evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic
Published in: Microsoft New Future of Work Conference - August 2020
Written by
Lauren Howe and Jochen Menges
Summary
What we found: We studied 113 employees adjusting to remote work due to the pandemic over the course of five weeks. Employees with a ‘fixed mindset’ about remote work (who believe it is something people are simply good at or not) reported lower levels of emotional well-being and less productivity during remote work, compared to employees with a ‘growth mindset’ (who believe remote work is a skill anyone can learn and improve).
Why it matters: Concerns about employee well-being and productivity during remote work came to the fore during the pandemic. Our research suggests the fundamental beliefs people have about remote work predict whether these employees will struggle or thrive.
What next: As employees transition to remote work, companies may want to measure mindsets to offer additional support to those who are skeptical about remote work to ease their struggles. Companies may also benefit from sharing the message that remote work can be learned, such as sharing tips for remote work.