White-collar work underwent a remarkable transformation in 2020. While it was not necessarily by choice, remote work quickly became the new standard, reshaping how we work in profound ways. However, the road ahead is marked by complex challenges.
Within the book “The Future of the Office: Work from Home, Remote Work, and the Hard Choices We All Face” by Peter Cappelli, a Wharton professor, readers confront a paradox that confronts both employees and employers in this evolving terrain. The book sheds light on unexpected trade-offs that both sides may need to consider to realize their respective aspirations.
Questions loom large: Should certain employees embrace permanent remote work? Is it feasible to grant others the freedom to choose? What awaits traditional office spaces in this transformed environment? These pressing inquiries serve as the core of the book’s exploration.
Cappelli delves into past research on diverse forms of remote work, including telecommuting, offering valuable insights into what to expect when some employees work on-site while others are remote. He unravels the complexities of organizations attempting to reassert control over office spaces, revealing that such transitions often bring unforeseen challenges.
“The Future of the Office” serves as a compelling clarion call, urging both employers and employees to make decisions that will profoundly shape their future environments. Cappelli underscores the urgency of these choices, emphasizing the implications for those who may stand to gain or lose in this evolving landscape.
