Working from anywhere - views, evidence, experiences and recommendations - HSRC Seminar

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) seminars

26 January 2021

Online seminar

Overview: The COVID-19 crisis has forced us all to work remotely, from home or from anywhere. While many have been flirting with this concept for the past decade or two, the pandemic has accelerated our practice and thinking. This webinar asks: Is it time to cut the cords of attachment to physical offices? What do we gain from Working from Anywhere (WFA), and what do we lose? Who should work from anywhere and who should be office-based?

As organisations recognise this pivotal moment in working arrangements, we seek to explore issues relating to the consequences of WFA including productivity, enabling onboarding of staff to company culture and promoting collegiality, while we grapple with the financial implications of this change.

Beyond the economic considerations, the questions of inequality are central in South Africa. How will workers contend with this changing dynamic, given that not everyone lives in similar socio-economic conditions? With the blurred boundaries between home and work life, Is the parent more productive at home, and how can they be better supported for such a change? During this symposium, hear from practitioners in the science, research, legal, human resources and the tech sectors about their perspectives pertaining to the pivot to WFA, focusing on both the economic and social concerns affecting workers. We also amplify the voices of workers on how WFA has impacted their lives. The symposium helps us understand what WFA means for how we work now and in the future and offers recommendations which contribute to developing WFA policy.

--

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Prof Sharlene Swartz - HSRC Inclusive Economic Development Divisional Executive (Symposium Chairperson)

KEYNOTE ADDRESS – OUR WORK-FROM-ANYWHERE FUTURE

Prof Raj Choudhury - Harvard Business School, Associate Professor of Business Administration

RESPONDENT – THE SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

Mr Krish Chetty - HSRC, Chief Researcher

PANEL DISCUSSION

Mr Andile Mabindisa - CSIR, Group Executive: Human Capital and Communication

Guiding principles for the development of a WFA policy for the CSIR

Adv Anton Boswel - Anton Boswel & Associates, Owner

Employment Contracts & Occupational Health and Safety

Mr Danny Tuckwood - METACO, Operations Director

The Psycho-Social Perspective

Mr Themba Mnisi - HSRC, IT Business Relationship Manager

IT Enablement

Ms Shirin Motala - HSRC, Chief Research Manager

Panel Synthesis

BREAKAWAY SESSIONS - MOVING TOWARDS DEVELOPING NEW WAYS OF WORKING

Lead facilitator - Ms Shirin Motala

REPORT BACK FROM BREAKAWAY SESSIONS

For more information: http://www.hsrc.ac.za/en/events/seminars/wfa and http://www.hsrc.ac.za/en/review/hsrc-review-march-2021/working-from-anywhere