Return-to-office mandates will just keep getting harsher as bosses stick to 'management by walking around'
This doom loop could have been avoided if managers knew how to manage hybrid and remote workers well.
Why are return-to-office mandates becoming stricter?
Return-to-office mandates are becoming stricter largely due to managers' reliance on traditional methods of performance assessment, such as 'management by walking around.' This approach often leads to proximity bias, where managers undervalue the productivity of hybrid and remote workers. As a result, organizations may revert to outdated office-centric models despite evidence showing the benefits of flexible work arrangements.
How does proximity bias affect remote workers?
Proximity bias negatively impacts remote workers by leading managers to underestimate their productivity. For instance, studies have shown that while remote workers demonstrated a 13% increase in performance, their promotion rates did not reflect this improvement. Managers often perceive remote employees as less committed or productive, which can hinder their career advancement.
What can managers do to improve assessments of hybrid workers?
Managers can improve their assessments of hybrid workers by adopting a more structured approach to performance evaluation. This includes setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals during regular one-on-one meetings. By focusing on real-time performance insights and maintaining open communication, managers can better recognize the contributions of remote and hybrid employees, thus reducing the impact of proximity bias.

Return-to-office mandates will just keep getting harsher as bosses stick to 'management by walking around'
published by Reliance Infosystems
Reliance Infosystems Group is a Microsoft Advanced Specialization Partner with Solutions Partner designations in Modern Work, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure and Data and AI. The group is championing business transformation for major verticals Across MEA, UK, US and Canada. We are focused on helping enterprise and midsize businesses transform their core operations to become agile, scalable and simplified by leveraging the expansive technology innovations, speed, reduced cost and unparallel flexibility resident in Microsoft Cloud. Our future-geared approach to Microsoft Cloud practices won us both the 2017, 2021 and currently 2024 Microsoft Partner of the Year for Nigeria and Botswana