Community Forum – How is remote work impacting your organization?

IRI and Babson College have teamed up to conduct a longitudinal study on the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on R&D and innovation management.  In order to understand these impacts over time, we are conducting a series of surveys over the next two years, tracking such key issues as productivity, morale, culture, collaboration, and communication.   You can learn more about the study here.  We will also do a deep dive into the results at the project’s quarterly update and roundtable on July 20 at 12pm ET (receive an invitation). 

2. If yes, please explain the current thinking.

• How can these types of work be reasonably distinguished from a corporate perspective? E.g., brainstorming might even work better remotely.
• Brainstorming sessions have better results when done in person.
• We are establishing 3 categories for roles: on-site only, off-site only, and hybrid. The plan is to keep as flexible as possible while having enough clarity to manage site capacity, IT and office space requirements, etc.
• The company wants to be “on-site first”, but with some flexibility to do remote work.
• Lab work must be done on-site; office work can be done remotely, with a minimum of 3 days per week on site regardless of function.
• Hybrid model based on employee’s activities.
• We are already using a hybrid model of on location and work from home.
• Based on function
• Requirements to be on the site are determined by the work to be done, which means that for lab work, employees must be on site.  Likewise, scientists and engineers whose work is done through others in the labs should plan to spend time on the site (but not necessarily always onsite).
• Depending on the type of work
• Type of work interactions and process equipment interaction will impact work location.
• Discussions still underway for how we will do this in the future.
• E.g., lab work needs to be on-site.  Other activities may not.

6. If yes, please explain.

• Work delivered versus time in office.
• We shifted to more specific scorecard performance management, not necessarily due to COVID, but found that it aligns well with the needs of remote work.
• Focus on KPI completion not time spent.
• Expectation of being online or in the office during 9-5 has changed. This has shifted.
• Focus is on impact & effectiveness of the work, and if it hits promised timelines.