“Our survey of more than 5,000 professionals worldwide confirms the effectiveness of remote work and its contribution to high-performing teams.”
Simon Lusty CMO, Aquent
Return-to-office mandates continue to be polarizing. An article in The Hill highlights recent research by Pitt professor Mark Ma and graduate student Yuye Ding, which explores why organizational leaders push for a return to in-office work. Contrary to claims of improved productivity, the study reveals that these decisions are often driven by managers' desires for control and to deflect blame for underperformance. The findings suggest that return-to-office mandates are linked to poor stock performance and negatively impact employee satisfaction, work-life balance, and perceptions of management. Data from organizations such as McKinsey, Hubstaff, Thumbtack, and Aquent challenge the assumption that in-office work is superior. Aquent, in particular, was highlighted for demonstrating that remote and hybrid work models can foster high-performing teams, innovation, and diversity. The article calls for more evidence-based, flexible work policies that promote employee well-being and organizational success.
This article originally appeared on The Hill.
