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Five days per month? A remote/hybrid work policy

Stephen D. Risavy (Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada)
Lindie H. Liang (Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada)
Yilin Zhao (Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada)
Elana Zur (Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada)

Publication date: 3 September 2024

Abstract

Research methodology

The main data used to develop this case were remote, synchronous interviews with the three characters in the case. The authors conducted two interviews with the main character in the case, Geoff Brown, specifically: (1) an initial 30 min interview to determine the fit and focus of the case and to help create the interview protocol for the full case interview (this initial interview was conducted on March 12, 2024); and (2) an hour-long interview to ask targeted questions to fully develop the case narrative (this interview was conducted on March 28, 2024). Geoff Brown was also involved in reviewing drafts of the case, approving the final version of the case and reviewing the assignment questions in this instructors’ manual (IM).

Case overview/synopsis

This case focuses on Geoff Brown, Executive Director at Alberta Chicken Producers (ACP), which is a not-for-profit organization in Alberta, Canada, that is responsible for representing 250 regulated chicken producers. Brown is grappling with what to do with the remote/hybrid work policy at ACP. Part of the impetus for reconsidering this policy was the comments from ACP’s long-tenured Office Manager and Executive Assistant, who had been asking Brown to bring this policy forward to a staff meeting for discussion throughout the past year. Brown now feels ready to move these discussions forward but is unsure of how to proceed and what the best practices would be to ensure that the policy in place for remote work is beneficial for work engagement, individual and organizational work performance, work–life balance, employee relationships and fairness perceptions.

Complexity academic level

The target audience for this case is undergraduate and graduate students taking a course in the disciplines of human resources management or organizational behavior. This case will be especially relevant for a human resources management course when studying the topics of employee benefits (e.g. work–life balance), health and safety (e.g. stress) and work design (e.g. telecommuting), and this case will be especially relevant for an organizational behavior course when studying the topics of motivation (e.g. fairness), communication, organizational culture and decision-making.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Disclaimer. This case is intended to be used as the basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation. The case was compiled primarily from interviews that the authors conducted with the three characters in the case.

Citation

Risavy, S.D., Liang, L.H., Zhao, Y. and Zur, E. (2024), "Five days per month? A remote/hybrid work policy", , Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-05-2024-0163

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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