Andrew Wood dives into the concept of ‘task masking’—where employees are physically present but not genuinely productive, a reaction to stringent office return policies. The article argues that this trend isn’t merely laziness or rebellion; it’s a symptom of poor management and lack of trust from leadership.
Key Points
- Task masking manifests when employees appear busy but yield little to no actual output.
- This behaviour is often a response to stricter office attendance demands from management.
- Inadequate communication and lack of clear expectations from leaders contribute to this issue.
- Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, operate differently, prioritising goals and results over time spent at a desk.
- Solutions include shifting from time-based to results-based performance evaluations and improving meeting practices to foster true productivity.
Why should I read this?
If you’re in leadership or HR, this article is a real eye-opener! It tackles those nagging issues of productivity and office culture head-on. Andrew Wood lays out practical strategies to boost trust and engagement in your teams, making it essential reading for anyone looking to evolve their management style in today’s hybrid work landscape. We’ve sifted through it for you, so you can jump straight into implementing better practices!