Assessing employee perception of management success in remote and hybrid work environments - The effect of leadership style on remote employees’ and managers outlook on remote leading

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a swift shift to remote work, presenting challenges for both employees and managers. Despite the return to pre-pandemic conditions, many organisations have decided to con-tinue allowing remote working due to observed productivity and employees’ demand for flexibility. The thesis explored the dynamics of remote work environments through interviews with employees and managers. Utilising structured email interviews and semi-structured group interviews, the research inves-tigated various aspects of remote work and remote management such as remote communication, man-agement support, and employee well-being. Thematic content analysis revealed key themes including employee well-being, trust, proactive communi-cation, time management, active listening, community, and motivation. Trust and communication emerged as fundamental for successful remote management, reflecting on findings from existing literature. Rec-ommendations focus on enhancing work-life balance, building trust through communication, setting guide-lines for remote work arrangements, and creating non-work-related events for team bonding and in-creased motivation. The study suggests that leadership styles emphasising communication, trust, and com-munity are most effective in remote management, with transformational leadership aligning particularly well with the needs of remote work environment. Overall, the thesis provides insights and recommenda-tions for improving remote work experiences and remote management practices.