Remote working boosting performance but weakening trust, says PwC

Remote working has boosted productivity but is creating challenges around trust and workloads among staff, according to a survey of Caribbean employers by PwC.

The consultant’s survey found that close to half (46%) of those from  Bermuda and the Caribbean said that remote and hybrid working had provided a short-term productivity boost. None said they had performed worse against workforce performance and productivity targets over the past 12 months.

Those gains had come at the cost of employee trust, with only half confident they were building high levels of trust between workers and supervisors. That was, however, better than elsewhere, with the global figure less than a third.

Workloads are also an issue: Burnout may be partially responsible for the number not being higher – nearly 80% (compared to 74% globally) were not fully confident workloads were manageable enough for employees to make full use of personal time.

Other challenges facing employers included digitisation and automation, cost pressures and talent shortages, according to PwC. Caribbean organisations should act quickly and decisively to strengthen their organisations and prepare for the future of work, it added.

“People are integral to the tech equation. An engaged workforce is critical to focused, sustained action by leadership,” said David Gibbons (pictured), human capital leader for PwC in the Caribbean. “Leaders need to engage with and listen to their people and be responsive to addressing employee concerns and the desire of people to work for organisations that live up to their purpose, values and culture. This is critical to retaining and motivating employees.”

Bhushan Sethi, Joint Global People and Organisation Leader, PwC US, added: “The pandemic has increased the pressure for more integrated business and workforce strategies, informed by robust scenario planning which for some is delivering tangible financial benefits. As we anticipate greater short and long-term uncertainty, the importance of establishing effective planning practices will be critical to address today’s and tomorrow’s business and workforce priorities.”