Relational Aspects of Working from Home: Embracing Opportunities and Navigating Challenges

Biron, M.; Raghuram, S.; Schewe, G.; Westmattelman, D.; Breet, S.; Glaser, L.; Sanders, K.; Dhaenens, A.; Li, X.; Backmann, J.; Tian, A. W.; Orlev, R.; Schlagheck, S.; Turgeman-Lupo, K.; Tzafrir, S.; Bar-On Shmilovitch, N.; Guy, E.; Berkowitz, R.; Berkery, E.; Peretz, H.; Tiernan, S.

Abstract

Physical distances (e.g., office versus home), temporal difference (e.g., work time or non-work time), and distinctive role identities are greatly reduced while employees work from home. Work relationships in the context of work from home are thus likely to differ from relationships taking place in the traditional, office-based context. The key question that guides this symposium is: How do employees engage in work relationships while working from home to achieve desired goals? To begin answering this broad question, we focus on five relationship settings: relationships with coworkers in the context of networking, relationships with managers and within teams in the context of learning, relationships within teams in local and multinational contexts, relationships with customers in the context of cyber misbehavior, and relationships with the broader society in the context of cultural norms. Our goal is to spark a debate around the changing nature of boundaries, relationships, and consequences in remote work environments. This symposium brings together a collection of papers that examine how the challenges and opportunities related to working from home, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, can have far-reaching implications for future theorizing and research.