Top leaders weigh in on working from home and what comes next

WILTON, Conn., Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the most recent Waterman Hurst survey of the gatekeepers℠, a virtual community of top leaders, 95% of leaders surveyed have implemented new WFH policies in 2020. The gatekeepers reflected on the WFH experience and responded with the following:

(PRNewsfoto/Waterman Hurst)
(PRNewsfoto/Waterman Hurst)

  • 72% of gatekeepers say employees are more productive working from home.

  • 75% say employees are happier working from home.

  • 70% report employees miss the workplace.

  • 55% report employees feel isolated.

  • Leaders report different WFH challenges than employees report.

  • Leaders report positive experience and more positive POV regarding WFH employees.

  • Leaders undecided on WFH plans post pandemic – say many factors to consider.

The gatekeepers is a virtual community of leaders who donate their time and expertise to deliver relevant and valuable advice as free content. See a list of members here.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen with a vaccine on the horizon, 66% of leaders said their employees will work from home for the foreseeable future, for at least one year, or indefinitely. They report the longevity of WFH requires more reflection on the downsides.

The gatekeepers' provided insights on how employees feel about remote work. 75% of leaders say their employees prefer to work from home but have experienced significant challenges. Notably, a majority of their employees miss aspects or the workplace, report more distractions and childcare difficulties at home. They also report feeling isolated.

While evaluating their own experience, leaders report an easier transition to remote work, with only 38% of leaders missing the workplace and 5% reporting difficultly with distractions and caring for children. Feelings of social isolation were not mentioned by leaders. Leaders report different concerns, listing maintaining culture, effectively on-boarding and training, and facilitating career development as potential downsides.

A majority of leaders AND employees complain of video call fatigue.

Most gatekeepers determining their long term WHF policy will be difficult due to conflicting priorities. Most believe their WFH policy will ultimately be driven by company culture.

Read the full article here including 21 gatekeeper's quotes.

About the Survey: Waterman Hurst surveyed 125 diverse leaders; members of the gatekeepers. The survey was conducted in Fall 2020. 61 leaders from 60 companies responded.

Waterman Hurst sponsors the gatekeepers - an initiative in alignment with Waterman Hurst's mission to enhance leader's careers.

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SOURCE Waterman Hurst

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According to a search warrant, however, someone using Jones’ IP address illegally accessed the state’s emergency alert email system to send an unauthorized mass email, an allegation she disputes.“DeSantis has been trying—and failing—to shut me down and silence me since May,” Jones told The Daily Beast. “It didn't work then, and it won't work now.”‘Pointed a Gun in My Face’: Florida Police Raid Home of Fired COVID-19 Dashboard ArchitectEskamani, the state legislator, said the photos depicted a wanton disregard for COVID-19 guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as encouraging people to wear masks when they are in close contact with one another even when outdoors. In September, DeSantis eliminated most of the state’s measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including an executive order that limited social and recreational gatherings to no more than 10 people.“The photos demonstrated how reckless our governor is acting in enabling the spread of COVID-19,” Eskamani told The Daily Beast. “He is not modeling good behavior and is taking his role for granted. It’s completely discouraging.”Ignoring the increases in cases, hospitalizations, and data continuously demonstrating that social distancing works—not to mention the incredible stress faced by health-care workers at the moment—is “rather tone-deaf,” Roberts added. On Dec. 5, the day of the event, the Florida health department reported more 10,000 cases for the third consecutive day. Since then, the state added roughly another 23,000 new cases, bringing Florida’s cumulative total to 1,073,770 cases since the pandemic began.As for the GOP gathering, the precedent set by what appears to have been a superspreader event at the White House Rose Garden party touting the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett loomed. Dr. Marissa Levine, another University of South Florida infectious disease professor, said even outdoor, well-ventilated events can be considered high-risk when there is a large turnout, no face coverings, and prolonged contact time.But with cases setting new records nationwide, DeSantis seemed determined to set a new bar for pandemic absurdity.“It certainly does not send the right message with respect to our efforts needed to control the pandemic at this time,” Levine said.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. 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