Description

Most of us spent five days a week going to an office. But now? Not so much. Gallup reports only 21% of jobs are now exclusively onsite. The rest are either entirely remote (26%) or a hybrid – part in office, part remote (53%).

Of course this trend was greatly accelerated by COVID. Do we think the change is permanent? What does this change mean for productivity? Competition for talent? Society?

Who are the winners and losers? What does it mean for downtowns? For homes? How much of your learning and networking did you do by being in an office? Could you have accomplished the same thing without being in the office? How much can technology take the place of in person gatherings?

Some service and manufacturing jobs can only be done on site. Is it fair that some workers can work from the beach when others can’t?

Is there an ideal solution? Squeezing five days work into four? Working all remote? Hybrid? How many days a week/month do people need to be in an office for maximum productivity? Seventy companies in the UK tested working a four day week. Reportedly there was no loss of productivity. How would we test the effect on profit and productivity of alternative work arrangements?

Let’s discuss the future of work.

This is a private, alumni-only, off-the-record discussion. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and participants and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Harvard Business School Club.

Participants must register by Noon on March 14th to receive details on joining the discussion. The Zoom link will be sent out by 4pm on the March 14th.