Lived experience of geographically dispersed employees in the absence of shared-air organizational interactions

ABSTRACT

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of employees choosing an off-site employment option increased annually. During COVID-19-related work-life modifications, many organizations worldwide were required to transition to a geographically dispersed, off-site workforce. While some individuals may enjoy the flexibility, convenience, and work-life balance of a geographically dispersed position, there is a need for organizations and employees to explore how workers perceive social support, experience feeling valued by and connected with leaders and team members and are impacted by technology and virtual interactions for those who work wholly off-site or at such a distance that face-to-face organizational interactions are not feasible. As both theory and method, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) guided the collection and analysis of interviews regarding the lived experiences of six geographically dispersed employees, allowing for a deeper understanding of the perceptions and experiences of those working in a remote environment without the opportunity for shared-air organizational interactions by highlighting subjective narratives. By considering the results of this study, including feelings of isolation and disconnection as well as the desire for communication, inclusion in decision and policy-making, organizational leaders and policy makers may better understand the off-site employee's experience. The exploration of the lived experiences of the study's participants may encourage the review of or implementation of strategies that could contribute to positive social change by influencing the perceived social support, feelings of being valued, sense of connection, and inclusion of the increasing number of geographically dispersed employees. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)